14

So spake th Omnipotent, and with his words

All seemd well pleasd, all seemd, but were not all.

That day, as other solemn dayes, they spent

In song and dance about the sacred Hill,

Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare [ 620 ]

Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheeles

Resembles nearest, mazes intricate,

Eccentric, intervolvd, yet regular

Then most, when most irregular they seem,

And in thir motions harmonie Divine [ 625 ]

So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear

Listens delighted. Eevning now approachd

(For wee have also our Eevning and our Morn,

Wee ours for change delectable, not need)

Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn [ 630 ]

Desirous, all in Circles as they stood,

Tables are set, and on a sudden pild

With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows

In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold,

Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heavn. [ 635 ]

On flours reposd, and with fresh flourets crownd,

They eate, they drink, and in communion sweet

Quaff immortalitie and joy, secure

Of surfet where full measure onely bounds

Excess, before th all bounteous King, who showrd [ 640 ]

With copious hand, rejoycing in thir joy.

Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhald

From that high mount of God, whence light & shade

Spring both, the face of brightest Heavn had changd

To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there [ 645 ]

In darker veile) and roseat Dews disposd

All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,

Wide over all the Plain, and wider farr

Then all this globous Earth in Plain out spred,

(Such are the Courts of God) th Angelic throng [ 650 ]

Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend

By living Streams among the Trees of Life,

Pavilions numberless, and sudden reard,

Celestial Tabernacles, where they slept

Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course [ 655 ]

Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne

Alternate all night long: but not so wakd

Satan, so call him now, his former name

Is heard no more in Heavn; he of the first,

If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power, [ 660 ]

In favour and præeminence, yet fraught

With envie against the Son of God, that day

Honourd by his great Father, and proclaimd

Messiah King anointed, could not beare

Through pride that sight, & thought himself impaird. [ 665 ]

Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain,

Soon as midnight brought on the duskie houre

Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolvd

With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave

Unworshipt, unobeyd the Throne supream [ 670 ]

Contemptuous, and his next subordinate

Awakning, thus to him in secret spake.