Unknown, which human knowledg could not reach: [ 75 ]

Absolvd, if unforbid thou maist unfould

What wee, not to explore the secrets aske [ 95 ]

Things above Earthly thought, which yet concernd

Immortal thanks, and his admonishment

What may no less perhaps availe us known, [ 85 ]

Chargd not to touch the interdicted Tree,

Of things so high and strange, things to thir thought

In Chaos, and the work begun, how soo九*九*藏*書n

With Blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeald

Of Heavn and Earth conspicious first began,

Of his Eternal Empire, but the more

With such confusion: but the evil soon

Immutably his sovran will, the end

How first began this Heavn which we behold

Proceeded thus to ask his Heavnly Guest.

Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills

The storie heard attentive, and was filld

Through all Eternitie so late t九*九*藏*書o build

What neerer might concern him, how this World

All space, the ambient Aire, wide interfusd

The doubts that in his heart arose: and now [ 60 ]

Before his memorie, as one whose drouth

Down from the Empyrean to forewarne

Farr differing from this World, thou hast reveald

To those Apostates, least the like befall

To magnifie his works, the more we know.

So unimaginable as hate in Heavn,

So easily oread.99csw.combeyd amid the choice

And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss [ 55 ]

Us timely of what might else have bin our loss,

For which to the infinitly Good we owe

Of what we are. But since thou hast voutsaft [ 80 ]

The affable Arch-Angel, had forewarnd

If they transgress, and slight that sole command,

Great things, and full of wonder in our eares, [ 70 ]

Gently for our instruction to impart

Our knowing, as to hi九九藏書ghest wisdom seemd,

Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd

Divine interpreter, by favour sent

When, and whereof created, for what cause,

Movd the Creator in his holy Rest

Yet scarce allayd still eyes the current streame,

Receave with solemne purpose to observe

Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven

Deign to descend now lower, and relate

Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know

Drivn back redounded as a flood on those

Thhttps://read.99csw.comough wandring. He with his consorted Eve [ 50 ]

Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites,

Adam by dire example to beware

From whom it sprung, impossible to mix

Of all tastes else to please thir appetite,

Say Goddess, what ensud when Raphael, [ 40 ]

In Paradise to Adam or his Race, [ 45 ]

With admiration, and deep Muse to heare

Imbracing round this florid Earth, what cause [ 90 ]

What within Eden or without was done [ 65 ]