第15章 14

So spake th Omnipotent, and with his words All seemd well pleasd, all seemd, but were not all. That day, as other solemn dayes, they spent In song and dance about the sacred Hill, Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare [ 620 ] Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles Resembles nearest, mazes intricate,

Eccentric, intervolvd, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem, And in thir motions harmonie Divine [ 625 ] So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear Listens delighted. Eevning now approachd (For wee have also our Eevning and our Morn, Wee ours for change delectable, not need)

Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn [ 630 ] Desirous, all in Circles as they stood, Tables are set, and on a sudden pild With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold, Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heavn. [ 635 ] On flours reposd, and with fresh flourets crownd,

They eate, they drink, and in communion sweet Quaff immortalitie and joy, secure Of surfet where full measure onely bounds Excess, before th all bounteous King, who showrd [ 640 ] With copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy. Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhald From that high mount of God, whence light & shade

Spring both, the face of brightest Heavn had changd To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there [ 645 ] In darker veile) and roseat Dews disposd All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest, Wide over all the Plain, and wider farr Then all this globous Earth in Plain out spred, (Such are the Courts of God) th Angelic throng [ 650 ]

Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend By living Streams among the Trees of Life, Pavilions numberless, and sudden reard, Celestial Tabernacles, where they slept Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course [ 655 ] Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne Alternate all night long: but not so wakd

Satan, so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in Heavn; he of the first, If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power, [ 660 ] In favour and praeminence, yet fraught With envie against the Son of God, that day Honourd by his great Father, and proclaimd Messiah King anointed, could not beare

Through pride that sight, & thought himself impaird. [ 665 ] Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolvd With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave Unworshipt, unobeyd the Throne supream [ 670 ]

Contemptuous, and his next subordinate Awakning, thus to him in secret spake.