Of theologians, but with keen dispatch To transubstantiate: what redounds, transpires Can turn, or holds it possible to turn, As from the mine. Mean while at table Eve Then had the sons of GOD excuse to have been suffic'd, Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose 440 445 450 Given him by this great conference, to know 455 his] Tickell, Fenton, Bently, read 'this' corruptly. 460 Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsaf'd As that more willingly thou could'st not seem To whom the winged Hierarch reply'd. O Adam, one Almighty is, from whom All things proceed, and up to him return, If not deprav'd from good, created all Such to perfection, one first matter all, Indu'd with various forms, various degrees Of substance, and, in things that live, of life.: But more refin'd, more spirituous, and pure, As nearer to him plac'd, or nearer tending, Each in their several active spheres assign'd, Till body up to spirit work, in bounds Proportion'd to each kind. So from the root Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves 465 470 475 480 More aery, last the bright consummate flower To intellectual, give both life and sense, 485 482 odorous] So Marino's Sl. of the Inn. by T. R. p. 60. 'The hills, and dales that plants odorous bore.' Todd. Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours, Differing but in degree, of kind the same. 490 495 To proper substance: time may come, when men Here or in heavenly paradises dwell; If ye be found obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire, Whose progeny you are. Mean while enjoy Your fill what happiness this happy state To whom the patriarch of mankind reply'd. O favourable spirit, propitious guest, Well hast thou taught the way that might direct Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set From center to circumference, whereon In contemplation of created things By steps we may ascend to GOD. But say, What meant that caution join'd, if ye be found Obedient? Can we want obedience then To him, or possibly his love desert, Who form'd us from the dust and plac'd us here Full to the utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or apprehend? 500 505 510 515 520 To whom the angel. Son of heav'n and earth Attend that thou art happy, owe to GOD; That thou continu'st such, owe to thyself, That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. This was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd. GOD made thee perfect, not immutable; And good he made thee, but to persevere He left it in thy power, ordain'd thy will By nature free, not over-rul'd by fate Inextricable, or strict necessity: Our voluntary service he requires, Not our necessitated, such with him 525 530 535 Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how To whom our great progenitor. Thy words 540 545 Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills Aereal music send: nor knew I not 550 555 To be both will and deed created free; After short pause, assenting thus began. 560 565 High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men, And perfect while they stood? how last unfold 570 This is dispens'd, and what surmounts the reach 557 sacred] Hor. Od. ii. 13. 29. 'Utrumque sacro digna silentio.' Richardson. |