8

For though I fled him angrie, yet recalld [ 330 ]

To life prolongd and promisd Race, I now

Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts

Of glory, and farr off his steps adore.

To whom thus Michael with regard benigne.

Adam, thou knowst Heavn his, and all the Earth. [ 335 ]

Not this Rock onely; his Omnipresence fills

Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives,

Fomented by his virtual power and warmd:

All th Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,

No despicable gift; surmise not then [ 340 ]

His presence to these narrow bounds confind

Of Paradise or Eden: this had been

Perhaps thy Capital Seate, from whence had spred

All generations, and had hither come

From all the ends of th Earth, to celebrate [ 345 ]

And reverence thee thir great Progenitor.

But this præeminence thou hast lost, brought down

To dwell on eeven ground now with thy Sons:

Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in Plaine

God is as here, and will be found alike [ 350 ]

Present, and of his presence many a signe

Still following thee, still compassing thee round

With goodness and paternal Love, his Face

Express, and of his steps the track Divine.

Which that thou mayst beleeve, and be confirmd [ 355 ]

Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent

To shew thee what shall come in future dayes

To thee and to thy Ofspring; good with bad

Expect to hear, supernal Grace contending

With sinfulness of Men; thereby to learn [ 360 ]

True patience, and to temper joy with fear

And pious sorrow, equally enurd

By moderation either state to beare,

Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead

Safest thy life, and best prepard endure [ 365 ]

Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend

This Hill; let Eve (for I have drencht her eyes)

Here sleep below while thou to foresight wakst,

As once thou slepst, while Shee to life was formd.