Chapter 15 14

However some tradition they disperse Among the Heathen of thir purchase got, And Fabld how the Serpent, whom they calld [ 580 ] Ophion with Eurynome, the wide- Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn drivn And Ops, ere yet Dictaan Jove was born. Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair [ 585 ] Too soon arrive, Sin there in power before, Once actual, now in body, and to dwell Habitual habitant; behind her Death Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet On his pale Horse: to whom Sin thus began. [ 590 ] Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death,

What thinkt thou of our Empire now, though earnd With travail difficult, not better farr Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch, Unnamd, unreaded, and thy self half starvd? [ 595 ] Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answer soon. To mee, who with eternal Famin pine, Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven, There best, where most with ravin I may meet; Which here, though plentiful, all too little seems [ 600 ] To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps. To whom th incestuous Mother thus replied. Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flours Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle,

No homely morsels, and whatever thing [ 605 ] The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspard, Till I in Man residing through the Race, His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect, And season him thy last and sweetest prey. This said, they both betook them several ways, [ 610 ] Both to destroy, or unimmortal make All kinds, and for destruction to mature Sooner or later; which th Almightie seeing, From his transcendent Seat the Saints among, To those bright Orders uttered thus his voice. [615]