Chapter 6 5
Why else this double object in our sight
Of flight pursed in th Air and ore the ground
One way the self-same hour? why in the East
Darkness ere Days mid-course, and Morning light
More orient in yon Western Cloud that draws [ 205 ]
Ore the blew Firmament a radiant white,
And slow descends, with somthing heavily fraught.
He errd not, for by this the heavnly Bands
Down from a Skie of Jasper lighted now
In Paradise, and on a Hill made alt, [ 210 ]
A glorious Apparition, had not doubt
And carnal fear that day dimmd Adams eye.
Not that more glorious, when the Angels met
Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw
The field Pavilion with his Guardians bright; [ 215 ]
Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeed
In Dothan, covered with a Camp of Fire,
Against the Syrian King, who to surprise
One man, Assassin-like had levied Warr,
Warr unproclamd. The Princely Hierarch [220]
In thir bright stand, there left his Powers to seise
Possession of the Garden; hee alone,
To find where Adam sheltered, took his way,
Not unperceived of Adam, who to Eve,
While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake. [225]
Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps
Of us will soon determine, or impose
New Laws to be observd; for I describe
From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill
One of the heavily Host, and by his Gate [ 230 ]
None of the meanest, some great Potentate
Or of the Thrones above, such Majestie
Invests him coming? yet not terrible,
That I should fear, nor socially mild,
As Raphael, that I should much confide, [ 235 ]
But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,
With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.