Say Goddess, what ensud when Raphael, [ 40 ]

The affable Arch-Angel, had forewarnd

Adam by dire example to beware

Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven

To those Apostates, least the like befall

In Paradise to Adam or his Race, [ 45 ]

Chargd not to touch the interdicted Tree,

If they transgress, and slight that sole command,

So easily obeyd amid the choice

Of all tastes else to please thir appetite,

Though wandring. He with his consorted Eve [ 50 ]

The storie heard attentive, and was filld

With admiration, and deep Muse to heare

Of things so high and strange, things to thir thought

So unimaginable as hate in Heavn,

And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss [ 55 ]

With such confusion: but the evil soon

Drivn back redounded as a flood on those

From whom it sprung, impossible to mix

With Blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeald

The doubts that in his heart arose: and now [ 60 ]

Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know

What neerer might concern him, how this World

Of Heavn and Earth conspicious first began,

When, and whereof created, for what cause,

What within Eden or without was done [ 65 ]

Before his memorie, as one whose drouth

Yet scarce allayd still eyes the current streame,

Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites,

Proceeded thus to ask his Heavnly Guest.

Great things, and full of wonder in our eares, [ 70 ]

Farr differing from this World, thou hast reveald

Divine interpreter, by favour sent

Down from the Empyrean to forewarne

Us timely of what might else have bin our loss,

Unknown, which human knowledg could not reach: [ 75 ]

For which to the infinitly Good we owe

Immortal thanks, and his admonishment

Receave with solemne purpose to observe

Immutably his sovran will, the end

Of what we are. But since thou hast voutsaft [ 80 ]

Gently for our instruction to impart

Things above Earthly thought, which yet concernd

Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seemd,

Deign to descend now lower, and relate

What may no less perhaps availe us known, [ 85 ]

How first began this Heavn which we behold

Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd

Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills

All space, the ambient Aire, wide interfusd

Imbracing round this florid Earth, what cause [ 90 ]

Movd the Creator in his holy Rest

Through all Eternitie so late to build

In Chaos, and the work begun, how soon

Absolvd, if unforbid thou maist unfould

What wee, not to explore the secrets aske [ 95 ]

Of his Eternal Empire, but the more

To magnifie his works, the more we know.