That wont to be more cheerful and serene 125 So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd; But silently a gentle tear let fall From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair: So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. 130 135 140 145 137 roof] In Milton's own edition, a comma stands after 'roof,' which Tickell, Fenton, Bentley followed. Pearce properly corrected it. Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse, More tuneable than needed lute or harp To add more sweetness; and they thus began. These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty, thine this universal frame, 151 Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then! 155 In these thy lowest works; yet these declare And choral symphonies, day without night, On earth join all ye creatures to extol 160 Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 165 Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, If better thou belong not to the dawn, 170 Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn 150 numerous] 'To enter David's numerous fane.' Sandy's Psalms: Ded. 166 Fairest] Hom. II. xxii. 318. and Ov. Met. ii. 114. Newton. 174 Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st, Of nature's womb, that in quaternion run And nourish all things, let your ceaseless change 180 185 190 His praise, ye winds that from four quarters blow, Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise: 195 177 five] Verum etiam quinque stellas, quæ vulgo vaga nuncupantur.' v. Apul. de Deo Socratis, ed. Delph. vol. ii. p. 181 quaternion] Heywood's Hier. p. 193. 'What ternions and classes be In the cælestial hierarchie.' 666. That singing up to heaven-gate ascend, Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise; To hill, or valley, fountain, or fresh shade, 200 205 210 So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts Firm peace recover'd soon and wonted calm. On to their morning's rural work they haste, Among sweet dews and flowers, where any row Of fruit-trees overwoody reach'd too far Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check Fruitless embraces; or they led the vine To wed her elm; she spous'd about him twines Her marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dow'r, th' adopted clusters, to adorn 215 His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld With pity heaven's high King, and to him call'd 220 Raphael, the sociable spirit, that deign'd 198 heaven gate] So in Cymbeline, act ii. sc. 3. 'Hark! hark, the lark at heaven's gate sings.' Newton. 200 Ye that] How could the fish witness? Bentl. MS. 206 give] Not unlike the Prayer of Clytemnestra in Soph. Elect. 646. A. Dyce. 217 marriageable] See Apulei Apolog. p. 540. ed. Delph. To travel with Tobias, and secur'd His marriage with the seventimes-wedded maid. 226 230 Raphael, said he, thou hear'st what stir on earth Satan, from hell scap'd through the darksome gulf, Hath rais'd in paradise, and how disturb'd This night the human pair; how he designs In them at once to ruin all mankind: Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade Thou find'st him from the heat of noon retir'd, To respit his day-labour with repast, Or with repose; and such discourse bring on, As may advise him of his happy state; Happiness in his power left free to will, Left to his own free will, his will though free, Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware He swerve not too secure: tell him withal 235 His danger, and from whom; what enemy, So spake th' eternal Father, and fulfill'd 6 245 249 ardours] ardours' mean the 'seraphim.' It is one of the words used by Dante for angels. Todd. |