Chapter 8 7

Not of my self; by some great Maker then, In goodness and in power praeminent; Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, [ 280 ] From whom I have that thus I move and live, And feel that I am happier then I know. While thus I calld, and strayed I knew not whither, From where I first drew Aire, and first beheld This happy Light, when answer none return, [ 285 ] On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours Pensive I sate me down; there gentle sleep First found me, and with soft oppression seisd My droused sense, untroubled, though I thought I then was passing to my former state [ 290 ]

Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve: When suddenly stood at my Head a dream, Whose inward apparition gently movd My Fancy to believe I yet had being, And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine, [ 295 ] And said, thy Mansion wants thee, Adam, rise, First Man, of Men innumerable ordained First Father, called by thee I come thy Guide To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepard. So saying, by the hand he took me raid, [ 300 ] And over Fields and Waters, as in Aire Smooth sliding without step, last led me up A woodie Mountain; whose high top was plaine, A Circuit wide, enclosed, with best Trees

Planted, with Walks, and Bowers, that what I saw [ 305 ] Of Earth before scarce pleasant seemsd. Each Tree Loadn with fairest Fruit, that hung to the Eye Tempting, stirred in me sudden appetite To pluck and eat; whereat I wakd, and found Before mine Eyes all real, as the dream [ 310 ] Had lively shadowd: Here had new began My wandring, had not hee who was my Guide Up hither, from among the Trees appeer, Presence Divine. Rejoycing, but with aw, In adoration at his feet I fell [ 315 ] Submiss: he reared me, and Whom thou soughtst I am, Said mildly, Author of all this thou seest

Above, or round about thee or beneath.