Chapter 20 19
The conquer also, and enslavd by Warr
Shall with thir freedom lost all vertu loose
And fear of God, from whom thir pietie feignd
In sharp contest of Battel found no aide [ 800 ]
Against invaders; therefore cool in zeale
Thenceforth shall practice how to live secure,
Worldlie or dissolute, on what thir Lords
Shall leave them to enjoy; for th Earth shall bear
More then anough, that temperance may be trid: [ 805 ]
So all shall turn degenerate, all depravd,
Justice and Temperance, Truth and Faith forgot;
One Man except, the only Son of light
In a dark Age, against example good,
Against allurement, custom, and a World [ 810 ]
Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,
Or violence, hee of wicked ways
Shall them admonish, and before they set
The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,
And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come [ 815 ]
On thir impenitence; and shall return
Of them derided, but of God observant
The one just Man alive; by his command
Shall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheldst,
To save himself and houshold from amidst [ 820 ]
A World devote to universal rack.
No sooner hee with them of Man and Beast
Select for life shall in the Ark be lodgd,
And sheltered round, but all the Cataracts
Of Heavn set open on the Earth shall power [ 825 ]
Raine day and night, all fountains of the Deep
Broke up, shall heave the Ocean to usurp
Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise
Above the highest Hills: then shall this Mount
Of Paradise by might of Waves be moovd [ 830 ]
Out of his place, pushed by the horned flood,
With all his verdure spoil, and Trees adrift
Down the great River to the opning Gulf,
And there take root an Iland salt and bare,
The haunt of Seales and Orcs, and Sea-mews clang. [ 835 ]
To teach thee that God attributes to place
No sanctitie, if none be thither brought
By Men who there frequently, or therein dwell.
And now what further shall ensue, behold.