第19章 18

How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold The end of all thy Ofspring, end so sad, [ 755 ] Depopulation; thee another Floud, Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drownd, And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard By th Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last, Though comfortless, as when a Father mourns [ 760 ]

His Children, all in view destroyd at once; And scarce to th Angel utterdst thus thy plaint. O Visions ill foreseen! better had I Livd ignorant of future, so had borne My part of evil onely, each dayes lot [ 765 ] Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst The burdn of many Ages, on me light

At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth Abortive, to torment me ere thir being, With thought that they must be. Let no man seek [ 770 ] Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure, Which neither his foreknowing can prevent, And hee the future evil shall no less

In apprehension then in substance feel [ 775 ] Grievous to bear: but that care now is past, Man is not whom to warne: those few escapt Famin and anguish will at last consume Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope When violence was ceast, and Warr on Earth, [ 780 ] All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd

With length of happy dayes the race of man; But I was farr deceavd; for now I see Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste. How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide, [ 785 ] And whether here the Race of man will end. To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they

First seen in acts of prowess eminent And great exploits, but of true vertu void; [ 790 ] Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey, Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth, Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride [ 795 ]

Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.