Chapter 14 13
Henceforth I flie not Death, nor would prolong
Life much, bent rather how I may be quit
Fairest and easiest of this combrous charge,
Which I must keep till my appointed day [ 550 ]
Of rendring up, and patiently attend
My dissolution. Michael replied,
Nor love thy Life, nor hate; but what thou livst
Live well, how long or short permit to Heavn:
And now prepare thee for another sight. [555]
He looked and saw a spacious Plaine, whereon
Were Tents of various hue; by some were herds
Of Cattel grazing: others, whence the sound
Of Instruments that made melodious chimes
Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who moovd [ 560 ]
Thir stops and chords was seen: his volant touch
Instinct through all proportions low and high
Fled and pursued traverse the resonant fugue.
In other part stood one who at the Forge
Laboring, two massie clods of Iron and Brass [ 565 ]
Had melted (whether found where casual fire
Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale,
Down to the veins of Earth, thence gliding hot
To som Caves mouth, or whether washt by stream
From underground) the liquid Ore he dreind [ 570 ]
Into fit molds prepard; from which he formd
First his own Tools; then, what might else be wrought
Fusil or gravn in mettle. After these,
But on the hether side a different sort
From the high neighboring Hills, which was thir Seat, [ 575 ]
Down to the Plain descended: by thir guise
Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent
To worship God aright, and know his works
Not hid, nor those things last which might preserve
Freedom and Peace to men: they on the Plain [ 580 ]
Long had not walkt, when from the Tents behold
A Beavie of fair Women, richly gay
In Gems and wanton dress; to the Harp they sung
Soft amorous Ditties, and in dance came on:
The Men though grave, eyd them, and let thir eyes [ 585 ]
Rove without rein, till in the amorous Net
Fast caught, they likd, and each his liking chose;
And now of love they treat till thEevning Star
Loves Harbinger appeerd; then all in heat
They light the Nuptial Torch, and bid invoke [ 590 ]
Hymen, then first to marriage Rites invokt;
With Feast and Musick all the Tents resound.