Book 11: Michael shows Adam a vision of the future

THE ARGUMENT.—The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them. God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them, but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael’s coming down. Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs: he discerns Michael’s approach; goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces their departure. Eve’s lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: the Angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the Flood.

tl;dr These next two books kind of prolong the work, but they just give a snapshot of future events involving Cain and Abel, the flood, and Noah and other things in store for mankind. 

 

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tl;dr
THUS they, in lowliest, plight, repentant stood

Adam and Eve prayed their little hearts out. 
Praying; for from the Mercy-seat above


Prevenient grace descending had removed

God's grace and mercy removed 
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh

the hurt from their hearts and made them feel better.
Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breathed
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Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer

It's the power of prayer here, and their silent sighs
Inspired, and winged for Heaven with speedier flight

could do more than what their spoken words could have said.
Than loudest oratory. Yet their port

Not of mean suitors; nor important less

Seemed their petition than when the ancient Pair
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In fables old, less ancient yet than these,

Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore

There's a Greek myth that is being referenced here, 
The race of mankind drowned, before the shrine

about how a man and his wife survived a massive flood. 
Of Themis stood devout. To Heaven their prayers

They prayed that mankind would be okay, kind of like what Adam and Eve want too.
Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious winds
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Their prayers reached the doors of Heaven
Blown vagabond or frustrate: in they passed

Dimensionless through heavenly doors; then, clad

where the Son
With incense, where the Golden Altar fumed,

brought their words
By their great Intercessor, came in sight

Before the Father’s Throne. Them the glad Son
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to his father's throne. 
Presenting thus to intercede began:—

The Son said, 
  “See, Father, what first-fruits on Earth are sprung

"Father, 
From thy implanted grace in Man—these sighs

look at the grace you have placed on man.
And prayers, which in this golden censer, mixed

With incense, I, thy priest, before thee bring;
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I am your priest and I bring you their
Fruits of more pleasing savour, from thy seed

Sown with contribution in his heart, than those

prayers mixed with incense in this golden cup. 
Which, his own hand manuring, all the trees

Of Paradise could have produced, ere fallen

These words are sweeter than all the delivious fruit Paradise could ever produce.
From innocence. Now, therefore, bend thine ear
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Please listen to their prayers. 
To supplication; hear his sighs, though mute;

Unskilful with what words to pray, let me

Man doesn't always have the right words to pray with
Interpret for him, me his Advocate

so I will help speak for him. I'll be man's advocate.
And propitiation; all his works on me,

I will help
Good or not good, ingraft; my merit those
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man be better and support their good qualities. 
Shall perfet, and for these my death shall pay.

And I'll even pay for man's sins with my own life. 
Accept me, and in me from these receive

The smell of peace toward Mankind; let him live,

I want to bring peace to mankind
Before thee reconciled, at least his days

in the limited amount of time he lives. 
Numbered, though sad, till death, his doom (which I
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To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse),

This will make man's punishment less severe, because death must always come.
To better life shall yield him, where with me

I will make sure man's life is met with something better in the afterlife. 
All my redeemed may dwell in joy and bliss,

Made one with me, as I with thee am one.”

Mankind will be saved. And they will all be in Heaven to live a happy life with me and you, God."
  To whom the Father, without cloud, serene:—
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God replied, 
“All thy request for Man, accepted Son,

"That sounds good to me, you've got the green light. 
Obtain; all thy request was my decree.

But longer in that Paradise to dwell

You and I want the same things. But, man cannot stay in Paradise. 
The law I gave to Nature him forbids;

Paradise is a perfect place, and it is too pure for them to stay. 
Those pure immortal elements, that know
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No gross, no unharmonious mixture foul,

Eject him, tainted now, and purge him off,

As a distemper, gross, to air as gross,

And mortal food, as may dispose him best

Man needs to go somewhere else, 
For dissolution wrought by sin, that first
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where he can live as a mortal. 
Distempered all things, and of incorrupt

Corrupted. I, at first, with two fair gifts

And eventually die. 
Created him endowed—with Happiness

And Immortality; that fondly lost,

He sinned so he cannot live forever in Paradise. 
This other served but to eternize woe,
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I gave him happiness and immortality in Paradise. 
Till I provided Death: so Death becomes

But he has lost happiness in Paradise, and it'd be worse to live forever being unhappy. Death is the only end. 
His final remedy, and, after life

However, if man stays faithful to me, 
Tried in sharp tribulation, and refined

he can wake up in a second life
By faith and faithful works, to second life,

Waked in the renovation of the just,
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Resigns him up with Heaven and Earth renewed.

here in Heaven with us. 
But let us call to synod all the Blest

Through Heaven’s wide bounds; from them I will not hide

Call all the angels in Heaven, 
My judgments—how with Mankind I proceed,

they need to know how I judged man.
As how with peccant Angels late they saw,
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Every angel has already seen how I judged the bad angels."
And in their state, though firm, stood more confirmed.”

  He ended, and the Son gave signal high

When God finished speaking, the Son signaled an angel nearby to blow his trumpet.
To the bright Minister that watched. He blew

His trumpet, heard in Oreb since perhaps

When God descended, and perhaps once more
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To sound at general doom. The angelic blast

Filled all the regions: from their blissful bowers

The trumpet could be heard everywhere in Heaven. 
Of amarantin shade, fountain or spring,

By the waters of life, where’er they sate

Angels came out from wherever they were
In fellowships of joy, the Sons of Light
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Hasted, resorting to the summons high,

and flocked to God's throne. 
And took their seats, till from his Throne supreme

The Almighty thus pronounced his sovran will:—

God spoke once every angel was in attendance,
  “O Sons, like one of us Man is become

To know both Good and Evil, since his taste
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"My sons, 
Of that defended Fruit; but let him boast

man has eaten from the forbidden tree.
His knowledge of good lost and evil got,

He now knows about good and evil, just like us. 
Happier had it sufficed him to have known

Good by itself and evil not at all.

He would have been better off know about goodness only. Knowing about evil makes things complicated. 
He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite—
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Man is sorry and he is begging for forgiveness.
My motions in him; longer than they move,

His heart I know how variable and vain,

Now I know how unpredictable he can be, I gave him free will after all. 
Self—left. Lest, therefore, his now bolder hand

Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,

He cannot eat from the Tree of Life
And live for ever, dream at least to live
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for he will live forever.
For ever, to remove him I decree,

So I'm giving the order that they must leave Paradise. 
And send him from the Garden forth, to till

The ground whence he was taken, fitter soil,

Man must leave and work in the ground and dust that he came from.
Michael, this my behest have thou in charge:

Michael, 
Take to thee from among the Cherubim
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I command you to take some backup with you
Thy choice of flaming warriors, lest the Fiend,

in case you come across Satan.
Or in behalf of Man, or to invade

Vacant possessions, some new trouble raise;

I need you to tell Man to leave Paradise forever. 
Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God

Without remorse drive out the sinful pair,
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From hallowed ground the unholy, and denounce

To them, and to their progeny, from thence

Perpetual banishment. Yet, lest they faint

Tell them in a nice way of course, 
At the sad sentence rigorously urged

(For I behold them softened, and with tears
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they're going to take the new hard. 
Bewailing their excess), all terror hide.

If patiently thy bidding they obey,

Here's an idea, 
Dismiss them not disconsolate reveal

To Adam what shall come in future days,

show Adam what the future looks like,
As I shall thee enlighten; intermix
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My covenant in the Woman’s seed renewed.

including the coming of Jesus Christ on earth.
So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace;

And on the east side of the Garden place,

Then tell them to leave.
Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs,

Cherubic watch, and of a Sword the flame
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Send some angels to stand guard on the east side of the Garden of Eden, and place a burning sword
Wide—waving, all approach far off to fright,

waving back and forth in front of the Tree of Life as a guard too
And guard all passage to the Tree of life;

Lest Paradise a receptácle prove

To Spirits foul, and all my trees their prey,

in order to frighten away intruders.
With whose stolen fruit Man once more to delude.”
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We don't want anymore devils coming in to steal things to trick men again and again."
  He ceased, and the Archangelic Power prepared

For swift descent; with him the cohort bright

Michael took some angels with him.
Of watchful Cherubim. Four faces each

Had, like a double Janus; all their shape

Each angel had four faces with 
Spangled with eyes more numerous than those
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glowing eyes all over them.
Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drowse,

Charmed with Arcadian pipe, the pastoral reed

Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Meanwhile,

To resalute the World with sacred light,

Meanwhile, Adam and Eve
Leucothea waked, and with fresh dews imbalmed
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The Earth, when Adam and first matron Eve

Had ended now their orisons, and found

felt a little better and hopeful after praying. 
Strength added from above, new hope to spring

Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked;

But they were still afraid. 
Which thus to Eve his welcome words renewed:—
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  “Eve, easily may faith admit that all

Adam spoke to Eve, 
The good which we enjoy from Heaven descends;

"Eve, we know that all the good things we enjoy have come from Heaven. 
But that from us aught should ascend to Heaven

So prevalent as to concern the mind

I don't think anything we say here could even reach Heaven
Of God high-blest, or to incline his will,
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and get God's attention to change anything. 
Hard to belief may seem. Yet this will prayer,

But I believe prayer can help.
Or one short sigh of human breath, upborne

Even to the seat of God. For, since I sought

Even if it's a little unspoken sigh. 
By prayer the offended Deity to appease,

Kneeled and before him humbled all my heart,
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When I was kneeling, 
Methought I saw him placable and mild,

I imagined that I saw God listening to my words and prayers. 
Bending his ear; persuasion in me grew

That I was heard with favour; peace returned

I felt peaceful knowing that he understood where I was coming from. 
Home to my breast, and to my memory

His promise that thy seed shall bruise our Foe;
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It made me remember the promise that the Son of God would bruise our enemy the snake/Satan.
Which, then not minded in dismay, yet now

I was too upset to realize it. I am feeling better now. 
Assures me that the bitterness of death

Is past, and we shall live. Whence hail to thee!

Eve rightly called, Mother of all Mankind,

I believe we are going to live better, and it's all thanks to you Mother of Mankind!"
Mother of all things living, since by thee
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Man is to live, and all things live for Man.”

  To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek:—

Eve replied, 
“Ill-worthy I such title should belong

"I don't deserve that title, 
To me transgressor, who, for thee ordained

A help, became thy snare; to me reproach
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I am just a sinner and I was made to help you,
Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise.

but all I've done was make you sin too. 
But infinite in pardon was my Judge,

God is infinite in his mercy.
That I, who first brought death on all, am graced

The source of life; next favourable thou,

Who highly thus to entitle me voutsaf’st,
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Far other name deserving. But the field

But I don't think I should be called the Mother of Mankind.
To labour calls us, now with sweat imposed,

Though after sleepless night; for see! the Morn,

It's a beautiful morning here, 
All unconcerned with our unrest, begins

it's almost as if nothing had even happened to us. 
Her rosy progress smiling. Let us forth,
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I never from thy side henceforth to stray,

I think we should just get to work, I won't leave your side this time. 
Where’er our day’s work lies, though now enjoined

We'll work even harder now, 
Laborious, till day droop. While here we dwell,

What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks?

and we shouldn't complain... 
Here let us live, though in fallen state, content.”
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we're sinners now! But at least we can still live here."
  So spake, so wished, much-humbled Eve; but Fate

Subscribed not. Nature first gave signs, impressed

NARRATOR'S VOICE: But they couldn't.
On bird, beast, air—air suddenly eclipsed,

Some bad signs started to reveal themselves.
After short blush of morn. Nigh in her sight

The beautiful sunny morning became gradually darker.
The bird of Jove, stooped from his aerie tour,
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Adam saw a bird of prey
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove;

chasing two colorful birds.
Down from a hill the beast that reigns in woods,

He also saw a huge beast chasing 
First hunter then, pursued a gentle brace,

a smaller one in the woods.
Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind;

Direct to the eastern gate was bent their flight.
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Adam saw many creatures on their way to the east gate. 
Adam observed, and, with his eye the chase

Pursuing, not unmoved to Eve thus spake:—

Adam said, 
“O Eve, some further change awaits us nigh,

"Well, this is different. Something is wrong."
Which Heaven by these mute signs in Nature shews,

Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn
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Us, haply too secure of our discharge

God must be telling us something with all these signs. 
From penalty because from death released

Some days: how long, and what till then our life,

Who knows, or more than this, that we are dust,

And thither must return, and be no more?
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Why else this double object in our sight,

What does this all mean?
Of flight pursued in the air and o’er the ground

Why are animals chasing each other?
One way the self-same hour? Why in the east

And why is it getting so dark now?
Darkness ere day’s mid-course, and morning-light

More orient in yon western cloud, that draws
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And look over there, there's a huge cloud
O’er the blue firmament a radiant white,

floating down in the west."
And slow descends, with something Heavenly fraught?”

  He erred not; for, by this, the Heavenly bands

A group of angels was landing on a hill in Paradise.
Down from a sky of jasper lighted now

In Paradise, and on a hill made halt—
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A glorious Apparition, had not doubt

And carnal fear that day dimmed Adam’s eye.

Not that more glorious, when the Angels met

Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw

The field pavilioned with his guardians bright;
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Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeared

In Dothan, covered with a camp of fire,

Against the Syrian king, who, to surprise

One man, assassin-like, had levied war,

War unproclaimed. The princely Hierarch
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It was Michael and his squad.
In their bright stand there left his Powers to seize

Possession of the Garden; he alone,

Michael told the angels to take over the Garden as he was going to speak with Adam. 
To find where Adam sheltered, took his way,

Not unperceived of Adam; who to Eve,

While the great Visitant approached, thus spake:—
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Adam spoke, 
  “Eve, now expect great tidings, which, perhaps,

"Eve, I think we're in trouble. 
Of us will soon determine, or impose

New laws to be observed; for I descry,

That angel looks like a serious one. 
From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hill,

One of the Heavenly host, and, by his gait,
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None of the meanest—some great Potentate

Or of the Thrones above, such majesty

Invests him coming; yet not terrible,

That I should fear, nor sociably mild,

As Raphael, that I should much confide,
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He doesn't seem as friendly as Raphael.
But solemn and sublime; whom, not to offend,

With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.”

  He ended; and the Archangel soon drew nigh,

I'm going to go over and meet him. Please, stay here."
Not in his shape celestial, but as man

Michael wasn't dressed like a heavenly angel, he 
Clad to meet man. Over his lucid arms
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was dressed like a solider on a mission. 
A military vest of purple flowed,

Livelier than Melibœan, or the grain

Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old

In time of truce; Iris had dipt the woof.

His starry helm unbuckled shewed him prime
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In manhood where youth ended; by his side,

As in glistering zodiac, hung the sword,

He was carrying the sword he used to hurt Satan during the war.
Satan’s dire dread, and in his hand the spear.

Adam bowed low; he, kingly, from his state

Adam bowed before Michael,
Inclined not, but his coming thus declared:—
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but Michael didn't bow back.
  “Adam, Heaven’s high behest no preface needs.

Michael said, "Adam I'm just going to say it.
Sufficient that thy prayers are heard, and Death,

Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,

God has heard your prayers, so he has postponed your death. 
Defeated of his seizure many days,

Given thee of grace, wherein thou may’st repent,
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You have a chance to make things up
And one bad act with many deeds well done

by doing some good deeds.
May’st cover. Well may then thy Lord, appeased,

Redeem thee quite from Death’s rapacious claim;

Then MAYBE, he'll forgive you. 
But longer in this Paradise to dwell

The thing is, you can't stay here in Paradise anymore.
Permits not. To remove thee I am come,
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And send thee from the Garden forth, to till

You're going to have to leave, and work on the land you came out of. 
The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil.”

That's where you belong from now on."
He added not; for Adam, at the news

Heart-strook, with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,

Adam was devastated. Eve cried out, 
That all his senses bound; Eve, who unseen
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Yet all had heard, with audible lament

Discovered soon the place of her retire:—

  “O unexpected stroke, worse than of Death!

"That's, that's worse than death!
Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? thus leave

I have to leave?
Thee, native soil? these happy walks and shades,
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Fit haunt of Gods, where I had hope to spend,

This is my home, and I planned on living the rest. of my life here!
Quiet, though sad, the respite of that day

That must be mortal to us both? O flowers,

I took care of all these things that grew here, all these flowers! 
That never will in other climate grow,

My early visitation, and my last
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At even, which I bred up with tender hand

From the first opening bud, and gave ye names,

Who will take care of them now?
Who now shall rear ye to the Sun, or rank

Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount?

Thee, lastly, nuptial bower, by me adorned
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What about my home? My shelter that we decorated with care...  
With what to sight or smell was sweet, from thee

How shall I part, and whither wander down

Into a lower world, to this obscure

Where will we go? Just wander about?
And wild? How shall we breathe in other air

Less pure, accustomed to immortal fruits?”
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We've become so used to the air of Paradise, no other place can compare."
  Whom thus the Angel interrupted mild:

The angel interrupted her, 
“Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign

What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,

"Eve, you shouldn't be sad. 
Thus over-fond, on that which is not thine.

Thy going is not lonely; with thee goes
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You have to face the music. 
Thy husband; him to follow thou art bound;

Where he abides, think there thy native soil.”

Besides you won't be completely alone, 
  Adam, by this from the cold sudden damp

you have your husband Adam."
Recovering, and his scattered spirits returned,

Adam spoke up, 
To Michael thus his humble words addressed:—
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  “Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or named

"Michael, you seem to be one of the
Of them the highest—for such of shape may seem

highest ranking angels. 
Prince above princes—gently hast thou told

Thy message, which might else in telling wound,

Thank you for the news. 
And in performing end us. What besides
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But we can't take any more. 
Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair,

Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring—

Paradise was all we have.
Departure from this happy place, our sweet

Recess, and only consolation left

Familiar to our eyes; all places else
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Anywhere else, 
Inhospitable appear, and desolate,

we will feel lost and unwelcome. 
Nor knowing us, nor known. And, if by prayer

Incessant I could hope to change the will

If I thought that I could change God's
Of Him who all things can, I would not cease

mind with prayer
To weary him with my assiduous cries;
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But prayer against his absolute decree

then I'd never stop praying. So I guess he has made up his mind. 
No more avails than breath against the wind,

Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth:
Therefore to his great bidding I submit.

This most afflicts me—that, departing hence,
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The worst part is now we're leaving the place 
As from his face I shall be hid, deprived

His blessed countenance. Here I could frequent,

where God would often visit us. 
With worship, place by place where he voutsafed

 
Presence Divine, and to my sons relate,

‘On this mount He appeared; under this tree
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Stood visible; among these pines his voice

I heard; here with him at this fountain talked.’

So many grateful altars I would rear

Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone

Of lustre from the brook, in memory
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Or monument to ages, and thereon

Offer sweet-smelling gums, and fruits, and flowers.

Now anywhere else, I don't know if I could find him again. 
In yonder nether world where shall I seek

His bright appearances, or footstep trace?

For, though I fled him angry, yet, recalled
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I can't believe I used to run and hide from God, 
To life prolonged and promised race, I now

Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts

Of glory, and far off his steps adore.”

because now I'd give anything to see his glory again."
  To whom thus Michael, with regard benign:—

Michael replied, 
“Adam, thou know’st Heaven his, and all the Earth,
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"Adam, you do know that 
Not this rock only; his omnipresence fills

all of Heaven and Earth is his...
Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives,

not just Paradise... God is everywhere!
Fomented by his virtual power and warmed.

The land, the sea, the air, and in everything that lives.
All the Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,

God gave you the world. 
No despicable gift; surmise not, then,
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That's not a small gift. 
His presence to these narrow bounds confined

Of Paradise or Eden. This had been

Paradise would've been yours. 
Perhaps thy capital seat, from whence had spread

All generations, and had hither come,

From all the ends of the Earth, to celebrate
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And reverence thee their great progenitor.

But this pre-eminence thou hast lost, brought down

But you lost that privilege. 
To dwell on even ground now with thy sons:

Now you're just an ordinary man. 
Yet doubt not but in valley and in plain

God is, as here, and will be found alike
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I wouldn't worry too much though. 
Present, and of his presence many a sign

because you'll be able to find God's love
Still following thee, still compassing thee round

With goodness and paternal love, his face

wherever you go. 
Express, and of his steps the track divine.

Which that thou may’st believe, and be confirmed
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Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent

To shew thee what shall come in future days

I'm going to give you a glimpse of the future, 
To thee and to thy offspring. Good with bad

so you'll have an idea of what to expect. 
Expect to hear, supernal grace contending

Some of it is good, some of it is bad. 
With sinfulness of men—thereby to learn
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True patience, and to temper joy with fear

That just comes with the struggle between good and evil.
And pious sorrow, equally inured

By moderation either state to bear,

You're going to have to be patient with it all, and be as happy as you can be. 
Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead

Just never forget about your past. 
Safest thy life, and best prepared endure
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Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend

This hill; let Eve (for I have drenched her eyes)

Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak’st,

Come with me, let's leave Eve because she seems tired."
As once thou slept’st while she to life was formed.”

  To whom thus Adam gratefully replied:—
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Adam thanked Michael and they went off together. 
“Ascend, I follow thee, safe Guide, the path

Thou lead’st me, and to the hand of Heaven submit,

However chastening—to the evil turn

My obvious breast, arming to overcome

By suffering, and earn rest from labour won,
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If so I may attain.” So both ascend

In the Visions of God. It was a hill,

Of Paradise the highest, from whose top

They made it to the highest hill in Paradise. 
The hemisphere of Earth is clearest ken

Stretched out to the amplest reach of prospect lay.
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It was an amazing view of everything. 
Not higher that hill, nor wider looking ground,

Whereon for different cause the Tempter set

Our second Adam, in the wilderness,

To shew him all Earth’s kingdoms and their glory.

His eye might there command wherever stood
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From there, Adam could see all the locations
City of old or modern fame, the seat

Of mightiest empire, from the destined walls

of where all the great civilizations would be someday.
Of Cambalu, seat of Cathaian Can,

And Samarchand by Oxus, Temir’s throne,

To Pacquin, of Sinæan kings, and thence
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(This is just a list of places like 
To Agra and Lahor of Great Mogul,

Down to the golden Chersonese, or where

India, 
The Persian in Ecbatan sat, or since

Iran,
In Hispahan, or where the Russian Ksar

Russia, 
In Mosco, or the Sultan in Bizance,
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Turchestan—born; nor could his eye not ken

Turkey, 
The empire of Negus to his utmost port

Ercoco, and the less maritime kings,

Morocco, 
Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind,

And Sofala (thought Ophir), to the realm
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Of Congo, and Angola fardest south,

Congo, 
Or thence from Niger flood to Atlas mount,

The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus,

Marocco, and Algiers, and Tremisen;

On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway,
        405
Rome, 
The world: in spirit perhaps he also saw

Rich Mexico, the seat of Montezume,

Mexico,
And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat

etc.)
Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoiled

Guiana, whose great city Geryon’s sons
        410
Call El Dorado. But to nobler sights

Michael from Adam’s eyes the film removed

Michael then helped remove Adam's 
Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight

cloudy vision in his eyes, 
Had bred; then purged with euphrasy and rue

The visual nerve, for he had much to see,
        415
And from the well of life three drops instilled.

and gave him some eyedrops from the Well of Life. 
So deep the power of these ingredients pierced,

Even to the inmost seat of mental sight,

That Adam, now enforced to close his eyes,

Sunk down, and all his spirits became intranced.
        420
It made Adam get high and faint (LOL 420)
But him the gentle Angel by the hand

Soon raised, and his attention thus recalled:—

Michael lifted Adam up. 
  “Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold

The effects which thy original crime hath wrought

Michael said to Adam, "Open your eyes, 
In some to spring from thee, who never touched
        425
The excepted Tree, nor with the Snake conspired,

you need to see what your sin has done for future generations."
Nor sinned thy sin, yet from that sin derive

Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds.”

  His eyes he opened, and beheld a field,

Part arable and tilth, whereon were sheaves
        430
Adam saw a field, 
New-reaped, the other part sheep-walks and folds:

I’ the midst an altar as the landmark stood,

half of it was being farmed and the other half had a flock of sheep. In between was a kind of holy altar. 
Rustic, of grassy sord. Thither anon

A sweaty reaper from his tillage brought

There was a sweaty farmer bringing 
First-fruits, the green ear and the yellow sheaf,
        435
Unculled, as came to hand. A shepherd next,

dirty, unshucked ears of corn to the altar
More meek, came with the firstlings of his flock,

Choicest and best; then, sacrificing, laid

and gentle shepherd bringing sacrificed lamb to the altar. He prayed. 
The inwards and their fat, with incense strewed,

On the cleft wood, and all due rites performed.
        440
His offering soon propitious fire from heaven

A fire consumed the lamb at the altar 
Consumed, with nimble glance and grateful steam;

meaning that God had accepted this sacrifice. 
The other’s not, for his was not sincere:

But the farmer's sacrifice wasn't accepted, because it wasn't sincere or caring. 
Whereat he inly raged, and, as they talked,

The farmer and the shepherd started to argue, 
Smote him into the midriff with a stone
        445
the farmer picked up a stone and 
That beat out life; he fell, and, deadly pale,

beat the shepherd to death with it.
Groaned out his soul, with gushing blood effused.

Much at that sight was Adam in his heart

Adam was horrified at this Tik Tok. He cried and said, 
Dismayed, and thus in haste to the Angel cried:—

  “O Teacher, some great mischief hath befallen
        450
"Why did he do that to him? He was just making a sacrifice! How could this happen?"
To that meek man, who well had sacrificed:

Is piety thus and pure devotion paid?

  To whom Michael thus, he also moved, replied:—

Michael replied, 
“These two are brethren, Adam, and to come

"They were brothers, 
Out of thy loins. The unjust the just hath slain,
        455
your own sons. 
For envy that his brother’s offering found

One killed the other because of jealously
From Heaven acceptance; but the bloody fact

because God accepted the other's offering.
Will be avenged, and the other’s faith approved

Lose no reward, though here thou see him die,

The killer will be punished, and the other will be rewarded.
Rowling in dust and gore.” To which our Sire:—
        460
  “Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!

Adam replied, "This is terrible! Violence and jealousy?
But have I now seen Death? Is this the way

Is the what death is like?
I must return to native dust? O sight

I don't want to end up like that!"
Of terror, foul and ugly to behold!

Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!
        465
Michael replied, 
  To whom thus Michael:—“Death thou hast seen

"That man was the first human being to die. 
In his first shape on Man; but many shapes

Of Death, and many are the ways that lead

But there are many other ways death can come. 
To his grim cave—all dismal, yet to sense

More terrible at the entrance than within.
        470
Some, as thou saw’st, by violent stroke shall die,

By fire, flood, famine; by intemperance more

Some will die by fire, flood, disease
In meats and drinks, which on the Earth shall bring

caused by poor diet choices."
Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew

Before thee shall appear, that thou may’st know
        475
What misery the inabstinence of Eve

Shall bring on me.” Immediately a place

Michael gave Adam another vision. 
Before his eyes appeared, sad, noisome, dark;

A lazar-house it seemed, wherein were laid

Adam saw himself in a hospital setting. 
Numbers of all diseased—all maladies
        480
There were people everywhere
Of ghastly spasm, of racking torture, qualms

suffering from disease, illness
Of heart-sick agony, all feverous kinds,

Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs,

mental and physical issues. 
Intestine stone and ulcer, colic pangs,

Dæmoniac phrenzy, moping melancholy,
        485
And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy,

Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence,

Dropsies and asthmas, and joint-racking rheums.

Dire was the tossing, deep the groans; Despair

The groaning and screams of pain 
Tended the sick, busiest from couch to couch;
        490
And over them triumphant Death his dart

was unbearable. They were all begging for death instead of this pain. 
Shook, but delayed to strike, though oft invoked

With vows, as their chief good and final hope.

Sight so deform what heart of rock could long

Adam broke down and cried some more, he said, 
Dry-eyed behold? Adam could not, but wept,
        495
Though not of woman born: compassion quelled

His best of man, and gave him up to tears

A space, till firmer thoughts restrained excess,

And, scarce recovering words, his plaint renewed:—

"I just can't stand seeing this much pain. 
  “O miserable Mankind, to what fall
        500
Degraded, to what wretched state reserved!

Better end here unborn. Why is life given

why is life given to us
To be thus wrested from us? rather why

Obtruded on us thus? who, if we knew

if we have to suffer in these ways?
What we receive would either not accept
        505
Life offered, or soon beg to lay it down,

Glad to be so dismissed in peace. Can thus

The image of God in Man, created once

I thought we'd be created in God's image, how can these people be so deformed by illness and anguish?"
So goodly and erect, though faulty since,

To such unsightly sufferings be debased
        510
Under inhuman pains? Why should not Man,

Retaining still divine similitude

In part, from such deformities be free,

And for his Maker’s image’ sake exempt?”

  “Their Maker’s image,” answered Michael, “then
        515
Michael responded, 
Forsook them, when themselves they vilified

"Well, these people didn't respect God's image in them. 
To serve ungoverned Appetite, and took

His image whom they served—a brutish vice,

They chose to make unwise choices in their lives, they ignored rules, and ruined their images themselves."
Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve.

Therefore so abject is their punishment,
        520
Disfiguring not God’s likeness, but their own;

Or, if his likeness, by themselves defaced

While they pervert pure Nature’s healthful rules

To loathsome sickness—worthily, since they

God’s image did not reverence in themselves.”
        525
  “I yield it just,” said Adam, “and submit.

Adam replied, 
But is there yet no other way, besides

"Is there another way for people to die without so much pain?"
These painful passages, how we may come

To death, and mix with our connatural dust?”

  “There is,” said Michael, “if thou well observe
        530
Michael answered, 
The rule of Not too much, by temperance taught

In what thou eat’st and drink’st, seeking from thence

"Sure, if you take care of your body and watch what 
Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,

you eat and drink. Everything in moderation though. 
Till many years over thy head return.

That's how you can live a long and healthy life. 
So may’st thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop
        535
Into thy mother’s lap, or be with ease

Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature.

This is old age; but then thou must outlive

So you'll get old and die a more peaceful death.
Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change

However, before that happens
To withered, weak, and grey; thy senses then,
        540
you will lose your strength and youth and beauty. 
Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgo

Your senses of sight and hearing will become weaker. 
To what thou hast; and, for the air of youth,

Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign

A melancholy damp of cold and dry,

To weigh thy spirits down, and last consume
        545
Sometimes you'll lose the spirit for life. It happens."
The balm of life.” To whom our Ancestor:—

  “Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong

Life much—bent rather how I may be quit,

Adam replied, 
Fairest and easiest, of this cumbrous charge,

"What a life... I think I'll get it over with quickly and painlessly as possible."
Which I must keep till my appointed day
        550
Of rendering up, and patiently attend

My dissolution.” Michael replied:—

Michael said, 
  “Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou liv’st

Live well, how long or short permit to Heaven.

"Now, now... don't hate your life. Don't love it too much either. 
And now prepare thee for another sight.”
        555
Get ready for another vision."
  He looked, and saw a spacious plain, whereon

Adam then saw a wide open plain,
Were tents of various hue: by some were herds

Of cattle grazing: others whence the sound

there were different colored tenst on it. 
Of instruments that made melodious chime

There were also herds of cattle grazing, and people were 
Was heard, of harp and organ, and who moved
        560
playing some lovely music. 
Their stops and chords was seen: his volant touch

Instinct through all proportions low and high

Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue.

In other part stood one who, at the forge

He could see a blacksmith, hard at work making tools. 
Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass
        565
Had melted (whether found where casual fire

Had wasted woods, on mountain or in vale,

Down to the veins of earth, thence gliding hot

To some cave’s mouth, or whether washed by stream

From underground); the liquid ore he drained
        570
Into fit moulds prepared; from which he formed

First his own tools, then what might else be wrought

Fusil or graven in metal. After these,


But on the hither side, a different sort

From the high neighbouring hills, which was their seat,
        575
Some men were approaching
Down to the plain descended: by their guise

Just men they seemed, and all their study bent


To worship God aright, and know his works

Not hid; nor those things last which might preserve

Freedom and peace to men. They on the plain
        580
Long had not walked when from the tents behold

the plain. 
A bevy of fair women, richly gay

Women came out of the tents wearing colorful dresses and jewelry. 
In gems and wanton dress! to the harp they sung

They sang and danced. 
Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on.

The men, though grave, eyed them, and let their eyes
        585
The men liked what they saw
Rove without rein, till, in the amorous net

Fast caught, they liked, and each his liking chose.

chose certain women, 
And now of love they treat, till the evening-star,

Love’s harbinger, appeared; then, all in heat,

and started to make love. 
They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke
        590
Soon, marriage ceremonies happened that night. 
Hymen, then first to marriage rites invoked:

With feast and music all the tents resound.

Such happy interview, and fair event

Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers,

And charming symphonies, attached the heart
        595
Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight,

Adam liked this change of scenery. 
The bent of Nature; which he thus expressed:

  “True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest,

Adam said, "This looks a lot better
Much better seems this vision, and more hope

Of peaceful days portends, than those two past:
        600
than all of that misery you were showing me before. 
Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse;

Here Nature seems fulfilled in all her ends.”

  To whom thus Michael:—“Judge not what is best

Michael quickly replied, 
By pleasure, though to Nature seeming meet,

Created, as thou art, to nobler end,
        605
"Don't think this is all so positive...
Holy and pure, conformity divine.

Those tents thou saw’st so pleasant were the tents

the people in those tents are 
Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race

Who slew his brother: studious they appear

descendants from the man who killed his own brother. 
Of arts that polish life, inventors rare;
        610
And sure they all can be talented in their own ways. 
Unmindful of their Maker, though his Spirit

but they do not even know that their gifts come from God. 
Taught them; but they his gifts acknowledged none.

Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget;

For that fair female troop thou saw’st, that seemed

The women are beautiful dancers, 
Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,
        615
Yet empty of all good wherein consists

Woman’s domestic honour and chief praise;

but they lack domestic skills to build a family. 
Bred only and completed to the taste

All they know is how to 
Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance,

lustfully lure men
To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye:—
        620
To these that sober race of men, whose lives

Religious titled them the Sons of God,

who will give up their honor for a night of pleasure. 
Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame,

Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles

Of these fair atheists, and now swim in joy
        625
They're all having fun now, but it'll all end in tears."
(Erelong to swim at large) and laugh; for which

The world erelong a world of tears must weep.”

  To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft:—

Adam replied, 
“O pity and shame, that they who to live well

"Wow, what a shame. 
Entered so fair should turn aside to tread
        630
Paths indirect, or in the midway faint!

But still I see the tenor of Man’s woe

Seems like all of man's trouble comes from women."
Holds on the same, from Woman to begin.”

  “From Man’s effeminate slackness it begins,”

Michael said, 
Said the Angel, “who should better hold his place
        635
"Man's trouble comes from men being weak and stupid. 
By wisdom, and superior gifts received.

But now prepare thee for another scene.”

Get ready for another vision."
  He looked, and saw wide territory spread

Before him—towns, and rural works between,

Adam saw a view of towns cities. 
Cities of men with lofty gates and towers,
        640
Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war,

Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise.

He saw a fierce army approaching a field.
Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed,

Single or in array of battle ranged

Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood.
        645
One way a band select from forage drives

Some went to steel 
A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine,

cattle, 
From a fat meadow-ground, or fleecy flock,

another horde of men stole sheep. 
Ewes and their bleating lambs, over the plain,

Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly,
        650
The famers and shepherds escaped, 
But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray:

but they came back with their own army. 
With cruel tournament the squadrons join;

Where cattle pastured late, now scattered lies

There were dead bodies everywhere.
With carcasses and arms the ensanguined field

Deserted. Others to a city strong
        655
At a city, 
Lay siege, encamped, by battery, scale, and mine,

another war was happening.
Assaulting; others from the wall defend

With dart and javelin, stones and sulphurous fire;

People were defending themselves from inside the walls, shooting darts, throwing spears, and using fire at enemies.
On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds.

In other parts the sceptred haralds call
        660
To council in the city-gates: anon

Grey-headed men and grave, with warriors mixed,

Assemble, and harangues are heard; but soon

In factious opposition, till at last

Of middle age one rising, eminent
        665
There was a man
In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong,

Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace,

trying to bring peace and love with 
And judgment from above: him old and young

Exploded, and had seized with violent hands,

religion and the word of God. 
Had not a cloud descending snatched him thence,
        670
But that just made violent men angrier. A heavenly cloud made him disappear.
Unseen amid the throng. So violence

Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law,

There was violence everywhere you looked. 
Through all the plain, and refuge none was found.

Adam was all in tears; and to his guide

Adam started crying again. 
Lamenting turned full sad:—“Oh, what are these?
        675
He said, 
Death’s ministers, not men! who thus deal death

"Did Death send these inhumane men
Inhumanly to men, and multiply

to do his work?
Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew

This is all so much worse than the brother killing his own brother!
His brother; for of whom such massacre

Make they but of their brethren, men of men?
        680
I thought we were all brothers! And who was that man trying to bring the word of God to them?"
But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven

Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost?”

Michael said to Adam,
  To whom thus Michael:—“These are the product’

"That kind of behavior of men is the product
Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw’st,

of marriages between good men and bad women. 
Where good with bad were matched; who of themselves
        685
Abhor to join, and, by imprudence mixed,

Produce prodigious births of body or mind.

They become obsessed with 
Such were these Giants, men of high renown;

For in those days might only shall be admired,

And valour and heroic virtue called.
        690
To overcome in battle, and subdue

fighting and 
Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite

Manslaughter, shall be held the highest pitch

glory and 
Of human glory, and, for glory done,

Of triumph to be styled great conquerors,
        695
conquering others.
Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods—

Destroyers rightlier called, and Plagues of men.

Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on earth,

The more they can kill and steal, the more glory and admiration they think they can have.
And what most merits fame in silence hid.

But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheld’st
        700
And that man comes seven generations after you. 
The only righteous in a world perverse,

He is the only decent man left in the world, 
And therefore hated, therefore so beset

so everyone else ended up hating him. 
With foes, for daring single to be just,

And utter odious truth, that God would come

People got tired of him talking about God all the time. 
To judge them with his Saints—him the Most High,
        705
Rapt in a balmy cloud, with wingèd steeds,

Especially about how God was going to judge them. 
Did, as thou saw’st, receive, to walk with God

High in salvation and the climes of bliss,

Exempt from death, to show thee what reward

God saved him from death.
Awaits the good, the rest what punishment;
        710
God rewards goodness. 
Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.”

It's time you see what happens to bad people."
  He looked, and saw the face of things quite changed.

The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar;

The scenery changed again. 
All now was turned to jollity and game,

Instead of war, 
To luxury and riot, feast and dance,
        715
there was a wild party, with drinking
Marrying or prostituting, as befell,

sex, 
Rape or adultery, where passing fair

rape, 
Allured them; thence form cups to civil broils.

and prostitution. 
At length a reverend Sire among them came,

A reverend came to these parties to try and 
And of their doings great dislike declared,
        720
And testified against their ways. He oft

testify against their ways, but it wasn't enough. 
Frequented their assemblies, whereso met,

Triumphs or festivals, and to them preached

Conversion and repentance, as to souls

In prison, under judgments imminent;
        725
But all in vain. Which when he saw, he ceased

He gave up and left. 
Contending, and removed his tents far off;

Then, from the mountain hewing timber tall,

Began to build a Vessel of huge bulk,

The man started to cut down tall trees and build 
Measured by cubit, length, and breadth, and highth,
        730
Smeared round with pitch, and in the side a door

a huge boat with large door on its side. 
Contrived, and of provisions laid in large

For man and beast: when lo! a wonder strange!

He filled this boat with supplies and food. 
Of every beast, and bird, and insect small

Then animals of every kind came marching into the boat.
Came sevens and pairs, and entered in, as taught
        735
Their order; last, the Sire and his three sons,

The man entered the boat too with his three sons
With their four wives; and God made fast the door.

and four wives. God shut the door, sealing the boat. for good. 
Meanwhile the South-wind rose, and, with black wings

Wide-hovering, all the clouds together drove

A mighty wind from the south was blowing. 
From under heaven; the hills to their supply
        740
Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist,

Dark clouds were gathering, 
Sent up amain; and now the thickened sky

Like a dark ceiling stood: down rushed the rain

and an endless rain started to pour. 
Impetuous, and continued till the earth

No more was seen. The floating Vessel swum
        745
The boat was the only thing left floating, 
Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow

Rode tilting o’er the waves; all dwellings else

as everything else was flooded. 
Flood overwhelmed, and them with all their pomp

Deep under water rowled; sea covered sea,

Sea without shore: and in their palaces,
        750
Where luxury late reigned, sea—monsters whelped

And stabled: of mankind, so numerous late,

The only people left to survive were on the boat. 
All left in one small bottom swum imbarked.

How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold

The end of all thy offspring, end so sad,
        755
Depopulation! Thee another flood,

Adam was devastated.
Of tears and sorrow a flood thee also drowned,

And sunk thee as thy sons; till, gently reared

By the Angel, on thy feet thou stood’st at last,

Though comfortless, as when a father mourns
        760
He felt like he saw all of his children killed right before his eyes." 
His children, all in view destroyed at once,

And scarce to the Angel utter’dst thus thy plaint:—

Adam said, 
  “O Visions ill foreseen! Better had I

"These are terrible visions of the future. 
Lived ignorant of future—so had borne

I think I would've been better off not knowing any of this. 
My part of evil only, each day’s lot
        765
Enough to bear. Those now that were dispensed

Why must I be tortured by things
The burden of many ages on me light

that haven't even happened yet?
At once, by my foreknowledge gaining birth

Abortive, to torment me, ere their being,

With thought that they must be. Let no man seek
        770
No one should know what the future holds. 
Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall

Him or his children—evil, he may be sure,

Because you can't do anything to prevent it, 
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,

And he the future evil shall no less

and you'll have to experience the pain twice.
In apprehension than in substance feel
        775
Grievous to bear. But that care now is past;

Man is not whom to warn; those few escaped

The few people that survive all this might just die
Famine and anguish will at last consume,

of starvation.
Wandering that watery desert. I had hope,

When violence was ceased and war on Earth,
        780
All would have then gone well, peace would have crowned

It seems like nothing good even happens. 
With length of happy days the race of Man;

But I was far deceived, for now I see

Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste.

How comes it thus? Unfold, Celestial Guide,
        785
And whether here the race of Man will end.”

Why does. itcome down to this? Is this the end of mankind?"
  To whom thus Michael:—“Those whom last thou saw’st

In triumph and luxurious wealth are they

Michael replied, 
First seen in acts of powers eminent

And great exploits, but of true virtue void;
        790
"All those people got admiration from conquering and killing,  
Who, having split much blood, and done much waste,

Subduing nations, and achieved thereby

then you saw them
Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey,

Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,

become corrupt and lazy. 
Surfeit, and lust, till wantonness and pride
        795
Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace.

The conquered, also, and enslaved by war, The ones who were conquered have lost 
Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose,

And fear of God—from whom their piety feigned

faith in God too. 
In sharp contest of battle found no aid
       800
Against invaders; therefore, cooled in zeal,

Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure,
Worldly, or dissolute, on what their lords

Shall leave them to enjoy; for the Earth shall bear
More than enough, that temperance may be tried.
805
So all shall turn degenerate, all depraved, There was no justice,
Justice and temperance, truth and faith, forgot;

or faith. 
One man except, the only son of light
In a dark age, against example good,

Against allurement, custom, and a world 810
Offended. Fearless of reproach and scorn,

Or violence, he of their wicked ways
Shall them admonish, and before them set

The paths of righteousness, how much more safe
And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come
815
On their impenitence, and shall return
Of them derided, but of God observed

The one just man alive: by his command Only one man survived it all, 
Shall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheld’st,

and God told him to build a boat to save him and his family.
To save himself and household from amidst 820
A world devote to universal wrack.

No sooner he, with them of man and beast Good thing he brought the animals with him, 
Select for life, shall in the ark be lodged

And sheltered round, but all the cataracts
Of Heaven set open on the Earth shall pour
825
because God made the flood happen.
Rain day and night; all fountains of the deep,
Broke up, shall heaven the ocean to usurp

Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise
Above the highest hills. Then shall this Mount

Of Paradise by might of waves be moved 830 The flood will even reach Paradise to wash it away. 
Out of his place, pushed by the horned flood,

With all his verdure spoiled, and trees adrift, Everything here will be destroyed. 
Down the great River to the opening Gulf,

And there take root, and island salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea—mews’ clang—
835
To teach thee that God at’tributes to place God's message is 
No sanctity, if none be thither brought

if man doesn't respect his land
By men who there frequent or therein dwell. then God will take it away.
And now what further shall ensue behold.” I've got more to show you..."
  He looked, and saw the Ark hull on the flood,
840
Adam saw the ark floating on the water. 
Which now abated; for the clouds were fled.
Driven by a keen North-wind, that, blowing dry,

The gloomy sky had cleared up, 
Wrinkled the face of Deluge, as decayed;
And the clear sun on his wide watery glass

Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, 845 the sun was shining bright. 
As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink

From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole Which made the waters recede. 
With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt

His sluices, as the heaven his windows shut. .
The Ark no more now floats, but seems on ground,
850
The boat finally touched the ground, 
Fast on the top of some high mountain fixed.
And now the tops of hills as rocks appear;

With clamour thence the rapid currents drive
Towards the retreating sea their furious tide.

Forthwith from out the ark a Raven flies. 855 and a raven was sent from the ark to find land. 
And, after him, the surer messenger,

A Dove, sent forth once and again to spy
Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light;
The second time returning, in his bill

The raven returned with an live leaf in its mouth
An olive-leaf he brings, pacific sign. 860
Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark

to show that it had found dry land. 
The ancient sire descends, with all this train;
Then, with uplifted hands and eyes devout,

The man and his family came out of the boat and set foot on dry land. He raised his arms and thanked God. 
Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a Bow
865
Conspicuous with three listed colours gay, A rainbow was seen in the sky. 
Betokening peace from God, and covenant new.

Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad,
Greatly rejoiced; and thus his joy broke forth:—

Seeing this made Adam feel better, it lifted his spirits. 
  “O thou, who future things cants represent 870 Adam said, 
As present, Heavenly Instructor, I revive

At this last sight, assured that Man shall live, "Michael, this makes me hopeful.
With all the creatures, and their seed preserve.

Far less I now lament for one whole world I'm happy that all the creatures get to live.
Of wicked sons destroyed that I rejoice
875
For one man found so perfet and so just This one man will start a new generation of men.
That God voutsafes to raise another world I feel more happiness for this one man, than I feel 
From him, and all his anger to forget.

sadness for all those other lives that were lost. 
But say what mean those coloured streaks in Heaven: But those colorful streaks in the sky, what is it for?"
Distended as the brow of God appeased?
880
Or serve they as a flowery verge to bind
The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud,

Lest it again dissolve and shower the Earth?”
  To whom the Archangel:—“Dextrously thou aim’st.

Michael replied, 
So willingly doth God remit his ire: 885 "God was full of anger when 
Though late repenting him of Man depraved,

Grieved at his heart, when, looking down, he saw he saw how violent mankind had become. 
The whole Earth filled with violence, and all flesh

Corrupting each their way; yet, those removed,
Such grace shall one just man find in his sight
890
He was glad to find at least one man who could be good. 
That he relents, not to blot out mankind,
And makes a covenant never to destroy

God made it a commitment to never destroy earth with a great flood again now that he knows there's still good left in people. 
The Earth again by flood, nor let the sea
Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world

With man therein or beast: but, when he brings 895
Over the Earth a cloud, with therein set So now whenever it stops raining, 
His triple-coloured bow, whereon to look

the colorful rainbow serves as a reminder." 
And call to mind his Covenant. Day and night,
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost,

Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new 900
Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.”

6 comments:

  1. Hahahah that 420 detail was good

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  2. adam trippin on the holy tincture

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  3. this is amazing

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  4. "No one should know what the future holds, because you can't do anything to prevent it, and you'll have to experience the pain twice." Very poetic for a cliffnote. Thanks for this!

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  5. "I thought we'd be created in God's image, how can these people be so deformed by illness and anguish?"

    Michael just doesn't answer lol.

    I appreciate the TikTok comment for making me realize just how long you must have been doing this! Blogger referencing TikTok. My goodness.

    I'm not here for an English course... It's because once in a while, I get interested in Paradise Lost for its Immense Cultural Value. But then I try to read it! I like dissecting poetry and looking at nooks and crannies in writing. But every single sentence is so long and fractured and LONG. I came here googling "Milton but in English" in sarcastic despair, and blog this was the first result. So, thanks!

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