5

Why else this double object in our sight

Of flight pursud in th Air and ore the ground

One way the self-same hour? why in the East

Darkness ere Dayes mid-course, and Morning light

More orient in yon Western Cloud that draws [ 205 ]

Ore the blew Firmament a radiant white,

And slow descends, with somthing heavnly fraught.

He errd not, for by this the heavnly Bands

Down from a Skie of Jasper lighted now

In Paradise, and on a Hill made alt, [ 210 ]

A glorious Apparition, had not doubt

And carnal fear that day dimmd Adams eye.

Not that more glorious, when the Angels met

Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw

The field Paviliond with his Guardians bright; [ 215 ]

Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeerd

In Dothan, coverd with a Camp of Fire,

Against the Syrian King, who to surprize

One man, Assassin-like had levied Warr,

Warr unproclamd. The Princely Hierarch [ 220 ]

In thir bright stand, there left his Powers to seise

Possession of the Garden; hee alone,

To find where Adam shelterd, took his way,

Not unperceavd of Adam, who to Eve,

While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake. [ 225 ]

Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps

Of us will soon determin, or impose

New Laws to be observd; for I descrie

From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill

One of the heavnly Host, and by his Gate [ 230 ]

None of the meanest, some great Potentate

Or of the Thrones above, such Majestie

Invests him coming? yet not terrible,

That I should fear, nor sociably mild,

As Raphael, that I should much confide, [ 235 ]

But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,

With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.