第6章 5

Therefore from this high pitch let us descend A lower flight, and speak of things at hand Useful, whence haply mention may arise [ 200 ] Of somthing not unseasonable to ask By sufferance, and thy wonted favour deignd. Thee I have heard relating what was don Ere my remembrance: now hear mee relate

My Storie, which perhaps thou hast not heard; [ 205 ] And Day is yet not spent; till then thou seest How suttly to detaine thee I devise, Inviting thee to hear while I relate, Fond, were it not in hope of thy reply: For while I sit with thee, I seem in Heavn, [ 210 ] And sweeter thy discourse is to my eare

Then Fruits of Palm-tree pleasantest to thirst And hunger both, from labour, at the houre Of sweet repast; they satiate, and soon fill, Though pleasant, but thy words with Grace Divine [ 215 ] Imbud, bring to thir sweetness no satietie. To whom thus Raphael answerd heavnly meek. Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of men,

Nor tongue ineloquent; for God on thee Abundantly his gifts hath also pourd [ 220 ] Inward and outward both, his image faire: Speaking or mute all comliness and grace Attends thee, and each word, each motion formes Nor less think wee in Heavn of thee on Earth Then of our fellow servant, and inquire [ 225 ]

Gladly into the wayes of God with Man: For God we see hath honourd thee, and set On Man his Equal Love: say therefore on; For I that Day was absent, as befell, Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, [ 230 ] Farr on excursion toward the Gates of Hell; Squard in full Legion (such command we had)

To see that none thence issud forth a spie, Or enemie, while God was in his work, Least hee incenst at such eruption bold, [ 235 ] Destruction with Creation might have mixt.