Not of my self; by some great Maker then,
In goodness and in power præeminent;
Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, [ 280 ]
From whom I have that thus I move and live,
And feel that I am happier then I know.
While thus I calld, and strayd I knew not whither,
From where I first drew Aire, and first beheld
This happie Light, when answer none returnd, [ 285 ]
On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours
Pensive I sate me down; there gentle sleep
First found me, and with soft oppression seisd
My droused sense, untroubld, though I thought
I then was passing to my former state [ 290 ]
Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve:
When suddenly stood at my Head a dream,
Whose inward apparition gently movd
My Fancy to believe I yet had being,
And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine, [ 295 ]
And said, thy Mansion wants thee, Adam, rise,
First Man, of Men innumerable ordaind
First Father, calld by thee I come thy Guide
To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepard.
So saying, by the hand he took me raisd, [ 300 ]
And over Fields and Waters, as in Aire
Smooth sliding without step, last led me up
A woodie Mountain; whose high top was plaine,
A Circuit wide, enclosd, with goodliest Trees
Planted, with Walks, and Bowers, that what I saw [ 305 ]
Of Earth before scarce pleasant seemd. Each Tree
Loadn with fairest Fruit, that hung to the Eye
Tempting, stirrd in me sudden appetite
To pluck and eate; whereat I wakd, and found
Before mine Eyes all real, as the dream [ 310 ]
Had lively shadowd: Here had new begun
My wandring, had not hee who was my Guide
Up hither, from among the Trees appeerd,
Presence Divine. Rejoycing, but with aw,
In adoration at his feet I fell [ 315 ]
Submiss: he reard me, and Whom thou soughtst I am,
Said mildely, Author of all this thou seest
Above, or round about thee or beneath.