Raphael, said hee, thou hearst what stir on Earth
Satan from Hell scapt through the darksom Gulf [ 225 ]
Hath raisd in Paradise, and how disturbd
This night the human pair, how he designes
In them at once to ruin all mankind.
Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend
Converse with Adam, in what Bowre or shade [ 230 ]
Thou findst him from the heat of Noon retird,
To respit his day-labour with repast,
Or with repose; and such discourse bring on,
As may advise him of his happie state,
Happiness in his power left free to will, [ 235 ]
Left to his own free Will, his Will though free,
Yet mutable; whence warne him to beware
He swerve not too secure: tell him withall
His danger, and from whom, what enemie
Late falln himself from Heavn, is plotting now [ 240 ]
The fall of others from like state of bliss;
By violence, no, for that shall be withstood,
But by deceit and lies; this let him know,
Lest wilfully transgressing he pretend
Surprisal, unadmonisht, unforewarnd. [ 245 ]
So spake th Eternal Father, and fulfilld
All Justice: nor delaid the winged Saint
After his charge receivd; but from among
Thousand Celestial Ardors, where he stood
Vaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light [ 250 ]
Flew through the midst of Heavn; th angelic Quires
On each hand parting, to his speed gave way
Through all th Empyreal road; till at the Gate
Of Heavn arrivd, the gate self-opend wide
On golden Hinges turning, as by work [ 255 ]
Divine the sovran Architect had framd.
From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight,
Starr interposd, however small he sees,
Not unconform to other shining Globes,
Earth and the Gardn of God, with Cedars crownd [ 260 ]
Above all Hills. As when by night the Glass
Of Galileo, less assurd, observes
Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon:
Or Pilot from amidst the Cyclades
Delos or Samos first appeering kenns [ 265 ]
A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight
He speeds, and through the vast Ethereal Skie
Sailes between worlds and worlds, with steddie wing
Now on the polar windes, then with quick Fann
Winnows the buxom Air; till within soare [ 270 ]
Of Towring Eagles, to all the Fowles he seems
A Phœnix, gazd by all, as that sole Bird
When to enshrine his reliques in the Suns
Bright Temple, to Ægyptian Thebs he flies.