I through the ample Air in Triumph high

Shall lead Hell Captive maugre Hell, and show [ 255 ]

The powers of darkness bound. Thou at the sight

Pleasd, out of Heaven shalt look down and smile,

While by thee raisd I ruin all my Foes,

Death last, and with his Carcass glut the Grave:

Then with the multitude of my redeemd [ 260 ]

Shall enter Heaven long absent, and returne,

Father, to see thy face, wherein no cloud

Of anger shall remain, but peace assurd,

And reconcilement; wrauth shall be no more

Thenceforth, but in thy presence Joy entire. [ 265 ]

His words here ended, but his meek aspect

Silent yet spake, and breathd immortal love

To mortal men, above which only shon

Filial obedience: as a sacrifice

Glad to be offerd, he attends the will [ 270 ]

Of his great Father. Admiration seisd

All Heavn, what this might mean, and whither tend

Wondring; but soon th Almighty thus replyd:

O thou in Heavn and Earth the only peace

Found out for mankind under wrauth, O thou [ 275 ]

My sole complacence! well thou knowst how dear,

To me are all my works, nor Man the least

Though last created, that for him I spare

Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save,

By loosing thee a while, the whole Race lost. [ 280 ]

Thou therefore whom thou only canst redeem,

Thir Nature also to thy Nature joyn;

And be thy self Man among men on Earth,

Made flesh, when time shall be, of Virgin seed,

By wondrous birth: Be thou in Adams room [ 285 ]

The Head of all mankind, though Adams Son.

As in him perish all men, so in thee

As from a second root shall be restord,

As many as are restord, without thee none.

His crime makes guiltie all his Sons, thy merit [ 290 ]

Imputed shall absolve them who renounce

Thir own both righteous and unrighteous deeds,

And live in thee transplanted, and from thee

Receive new life. So Man, as is most just,

Shall satisfie for Man, be judgd and die, [ 295 ]

And dying rise, and rising with him raise

His Brethren, ransomd with his own dear life.