Book 5: Satan in your dreams and a little about his backstory

THE ARGUMENT.—Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: they come forth to their day labours: their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render Man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise; his appearance described; his coming discerned by Adam afar off, sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise, got together by Eve; their discourse at table. Raphael performs his massage, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates, at Adam’s request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the North, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel, a seraph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him.

tl;dr: Eve had a bad dream, and it pretty much foreshadows eating some Forbidden Fruit. But lol, obviously God knows exactly what's going to happen. 


 
Text

tl;dr
NOW Morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime

Good morning Paradise! The sun
Advancing, sowed the earth with orient pearl,

shone  like a pearl and moved across the earth.
When Adam waked, so customed; for his sleep

Adam woke up. He's kind of a
Was aerie light, from pure digestion bred,

light sleeper. 
And temperate vapours bland, which the only sound
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You know the type where even the sounds of
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora’s fan,

leaves, the breeze of the wind, 
Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song

or even a bird singing could wake him up. You've
Of birds on every bough. So much the more

been there before I'm sure. 
His wonder was to find unwakened Eve,

He was surprised to see Eve still sleeping.
With tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek,
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Her hair a mess and cheeks flushed.
As through unquiet rest. He, on his side

It seems like she was having a bad dream or trouble  sleeping. 
Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love

Adam sat up and admired her
Hung over her enamoured, and beheld

beauty, he's just head over heels this guy.
Beauty which, whether waking or asleep,

Whether she was awake or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces; then, with voice
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he was in love. He softly whispered to her,
Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,

in a voice as delicate as a flower.
Her hand soft touching, whispered thus:—“Awake,

"Awaken 
My fairest, my espoused, my latest found,

my love.
Heaven’s last, best gift, my ever-new delight!

Awake! the morning shines, and the fresh field
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It is morning and I don't 
Calls us; we lose the prime to mark how spring

want you to miss out on its beauty.
Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove,

Don't miss the citrus trees we've planted,
What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed,

How Nature paints her colours, how the bee

the vibrant colors, the bees
Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.”
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collecting pollen from the flowers.
  Such whispering waked her, but with startled eye

This soft whispering startled her and she woke up right away.
On Adam; whom imbracing, thus she spake:—

Eve replied,
  “O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose,

Oh Adam, you're the only one that can comfort me...
My glory, my perfection! glad I see

I'm so glad to see 
Thy face, and morn returned; for I this night
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your face.
(Such night till this I never passed) have dreamed,

Of all the nights, I've never had a dream quite like this.
If dreamed, not, as I oft am wont, of thee,

See, I usually dream pleasant things about you and I
Works of day past, or morrow’s next design;

and how we spend our days, or what we plan to do tomorrow. 
But of offence and trouble, which my mind

But 
Knew never till this irksome night. Methought
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last night was different. I thought
Close at mine ear one called me forth to walk

I heard you whispering in my ear, telling me to follow you somewhere.
With gentle voice; I thought it thine. It said,

It was a gentle voice, I thought it was yours.
‘Why sleep’st thou, Eve? now is the pleasant time,

It told me
The cool, the silent, save where silence yields

how cool and silent
To the night-warbling bird, that now awake
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the night was, and the birds
Tunes sweetest his love-laboured song; now reigns

that were singing
Full-orbed the moon, and, with more pleasing light,

and how the full moon, with its pleasing light
Shadowy sets off the face of things—in vain,

made everything beautiful. But no one was there to enjoy it.
If none regard. Heaven wakes with all his eyes;

The voice said that stars in Heaven were like eyes
Whom to behold but thee, Nature’s desire,
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just waiting to enjoy my beauty.
In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment

Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze?

I rose as at thy call, but found thee not:

I got up to follow you, but I couldn't find you at all. 
To find thee I directed then my walk;

And on, methought, alone I passed through ways
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I stumbled upon a path
That brought me on a sudden to the Tree

that brought me to the Tree. 
Of interdicted Knowledge. Fair it seemed,

The Tree of Forbidden Knowledge. It looked beautiful
Much fairer to my fancy than by day;

much more than it does in the daytime.
And, as I wondering looked, beside it stood

As I was admiring it, next to the tree I noticed
One shaped and winged like one of those from Heaven
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an Angel. An Angel from Heaven.
By us oft seen: his dewy locks distilled

Ambrosia. On that Tree he also gazed;

He was also looking at the tree. Entranced he said,
And, ‘O fair plant,’ said he, ‘with fruit surcharged,

"Well holy shit. Look at this tree. Look at these fruits!
Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet,

What a shame. Nobody wants to taste it.
Nor God nor Man? Is knowledge so despised?
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But why? I guess nobody wants to learn...
Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste?

Who is this tree for anyway?
Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold

Who is going to stop me
Longer thy offered good, why else set here?

from trying to taste it. Why is it here?"
This said, he paused not, but with ventrous arm

Without a pause or hesitation, he reached out
He plucked, he tasted. Me damp horror chilled
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and plucked a fruit from the tree. He ate it. I was lost for words.
At such bold words vouched with a deed so bold;

This Angel continued and said,
But he thus, overjoyed: ‘O fruit divine,

"How wonderful!
Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropt,

It's so tasty! It doesn't just look good, it tastes good too!
Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit

For gods, yet able to make gods of men!
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Sure, it's only reserved for Gods, but it's able to turn men into Gods too!
And why not gods of men, since good, the more

Why not share this delight to everyone else?
Communicated, more abundant grows,

The author not impaired, but honoured more?

Wouldn't that honor God more?
Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve!

Come here Eve!
Partake thou also: happy though thou art,
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You should try this out too!
Happier thou may’st be, worthier canst not be.

You may be happy now, but you'll be happier trying this out!
Taste this, and be henceforth among the gods

Just taste it and become a god too. 
Thyself a goddess; not to Earth confined,

Become a goddess.
But sometimes in the Air; as we; sometimes

Ascend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see
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Rise to Heaven!
What life the gods live there, and such live thou.’

And enjoy a new life!"
So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,

As he was saying all this, he took the same fruit
Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part

and held it close to my mouth
Which he had plucked: the pleasant savoury smell

I could smell how tasty it was.
So quickened appetite that I, methought,
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I couldn't help myself
Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds

so I tasted it. We suddenly flew up into the sky
With him I flew, and underneath beheld

The Earth outstretched immense, a prospect wide

I saw how big the Earth really was.
And various. Wondering at my flight and change

To this high exaltation, suddenly
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Then all of a sudden
My guide was gone, and I, methought, sunk down,

he was gone. And I sunk back down
And fell asleep; but, O, how glad I waked

into sleep. Then I woke up. I was 
To find this but a dream!” Thus Eve her night

glad that this was all just a dream." 
Related, and thus Adam answered sad:—

Adam replied
  “Best image of myself, and dearer half,
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"Well damn.
The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep

I don't like this at all.
Affects me equally; nor can I like

This uncouth dream—of evil sprung, I fear;

This dream of yours, is... kind of evil.
Yet evil whence? In thee can harbour none,

I'm scared because where could it have come from? It couldn't have come from you. You're not evil.
Created pure. But know that in the soul
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You're so pure.
Are many lesser faculties, that serve

Sure,
Reason as chief. Among these Fancy next

Her office holds; of all external things,

we have our imaginations
Which the five watchful senses represent,

and we have our five senses of course,
She forms imaginations, aerie shapes,
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but our imaginations CAN take us to so many places.
Which Reason, joining or disjoining, frames

All what we affirm or what deny, and call

Our knowledge or opinion; then retires

Our inherent knowledge and conscious thought keeps us level, but when we sleep...
Into her private cell when Nature rests.

Oft, in her absence, mimic Fancy wakes
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that's when our imagination takes over.
To imitate her; but, misjoining shapes,

And it can be hard to distinguish what
Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams,

is a dream and what is real. 
Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.

And our memories can get mixed up. 
Some such resemblances, methinks, I find

Of our last evening’s talk in this thy dream,
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Maybe last night's conversation made its way into your dream.
But with addition strange. Yet be not sad:

Along with some other strange stuff. 
Evil into the mind of God or Man

Sure they may seem bad,
May come and go, so unapproved, and leave

but
No spot or blame behind; which gives me hope

there's no harm done. What gives me hope
That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream
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is that you're already upset of what
Waking thou never wilt consent to do.

you've done in your dream. That means it's something you would never do in real life. (Narrator: She did.)
Be not disheartened, then, nor cloud those looks,

So don't worry. 
That wont to be more cheerful and serene

I want you to cheer up. 
Than when fair Morning first smiles on the world;

And let us to our fresh imployments rise
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We've got some new work to do
Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers,

in the garden." 
That open now their choicest bosomed smells,


Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store.”

  So cheered he his fair spouse; and she was cheered,

It seemed like Adam did well cheering her up a bit.
But silently a gentle tear let fall
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Eve did cry gentle tears from both her eyes
From either eye, and wiped them with her hair:

but she wiped them away with her hair
Two other precious drops that ready stood,

Two more tear drops formed
Each in their crystal sluice, he, ere they fell,

and fell down her cheeks
Kissed as the gracious signs of sweet remorse

but Adam kissed those away too. 
And pious awe, that feared to have offended.
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  So all was cleared, and to the field they haste.

Once that was all said and done, they quickly went back to work.
But first, from under shady arborous roof

Soon as they forth were come to open sight

They were greeted with 
Of day-spring, and the Sun—who, scarce uprisen,

a splendid morning Sun
With wheels yet hovering o’er the ocean-brim,
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that just lit up everything.
Shot parallel to the Earth his dewy ray,

Discovering in wide lantskip all the east

Of Paradise and Eden’s happy plains—

Lowly they bowed, adoring, and began

In midst of this beautiful sight, they bowed low to pray.
Their orisons, each morning duly paid
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Every morning,
In various style; for neither various style

they were creative enough to say a different prayer
Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise

Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced, or sung

They wanted to praise their Maker in unique ways.
Unmeditated; such prompt eloquence

Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous verse,
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More tuneable than needed lute or harp

To add more sweetness. And they thus began:—

They said:
  “These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,

"Dear God, this is a beautiful land!
Almighty! thine this universal frame,

Thus wondrous fair: Thyself how wondrous then!
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You are so wonderful!
Unspeakable! who sitt’st above these heavens

You sit high above these Heavens,
To us invisible, or dimly seen

and although you are invisible or rarely seen,
In these thy lowest works; yet these declare

we can see who you are through your work.
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine.

We can see your goodness everywhere. 
Speak, ye who best can tell, ye Sons of Light,
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And as for you Angels, you know him more than anybody.
Angels—for ye behold him, and with songs

Praise him with your songs and
And choral symphonies, day without night,

your symphonies.
Circle his throne rejoicing—ye in Heaven;

Circle his throne and rejoice!
On Earth join, all ye creatures, to extol

Praise him!
Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.
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Fairest of Stars, last in the train of Night,

And you, the morning star, the last to shine in the night
If better thou belong not to the Dawn,

Sure pledge of day, that crown’st the smiling morn

With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere

you should praise him too!
While day arises, that sweet hour of prime.
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And when the day arises, that special hour
Thou Sun, of this great World both eye and soul,

You the Sun, 
Acknowledge him thy Greater; sound his praise

you must praise him too
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb’st,

in your eternal cycle of 
And when high noon hast gained, and when thou fall’st.

rising and falling. 
Moon, that now meet’st the orient Sun, now fliest,
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And you, the moon! 
With the fixed Stars, fixed in their orb that flies;

As well as the 
And ye five other wandering Fires, that move

other orbiting, shining planets in the sky
In mystic dance, not without song, reasound

and your mystic dancing...
His praise who out of Darkness called up Light.

praise the light of your creator!
Air, and ye Elements, the eldest birth
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Air and the rest of the elements, among the oldest
Of Nature’s womb, that in quaternion run

that were made.
Perpetual circle, multiform, and mix

How air perpetually circles us in different forms, and mixes
And nourish all things, let your ceaseless change

and nourishes all things. Let your unchanging self
Vary to our great Maker still new praise.

praise our great Maker!
Ye Mists and Exhalations, that now rise
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And the mists, that rise
From hill or steaming lake, dusky or gray,

from the hills, steaming lakes
Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold,

to how the Sun pierces through your clouds
In honour to the World’s great Author rise;

you must honor your creator too!
Whether to deck with clouds the uncoloured sky,

Even you clouds that
Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers,
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wet the thirsty earth with your rain. 
Rising or falling, still advance his praise.

His praise, ye Winds, that from four quarters blow,

And the wind, that blows,
Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines,

whether you're soft or strong, you breeze through and above the treetops
With every Plant, in sign of worship wave.

onto every plant and that's how you praise your creator!
Fountains, and ye, that warble, as ye flow,
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And the waterfalls and flowing streams
Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.

the sound of your brooks is how you praise God.
Join voices, all ye living Souls. Ye Birds,

And the voices of nature, all of your voices join us. The birds
That, singing, up to Heaven-gate ascend,

sing and praise God. 
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise.

Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk
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The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep,

Witness if I be silent, morn or even,

To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade,

Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise.

Hail, universal Lord! Be bounteous still
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Dear God, please
To give us only good; and, if the night

give us only good, and if darkness and night
Have gathered aught of evil, or concealed,

gathers against us
Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.”

please chase them away with your light."
  So prayed they innocent, and to their thoughts

They finished their lengthy prayer and 
Firm peace recovered soon, and wonted calm.
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felt better and at peace. They were calm again. 
On to their morning’s rural work they haste,

Then they finally, quickly went back to work. 
Among sweet dews and flowers, where any row

Among the dew and the flowers
Of fruit-trees, over-woody, reached too far

the fruit trees, the woods,
Their pampered boughs, and needed hands to check

they pruned and pampered every branch
Fruitless imbraces; or they led the vine
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and fixed the growing vines. 
To wed her elm; she, spoused, about him twines

Her marriageable arms, and with her brings

Her dower, the adopted clusters, to adorn

His barren leaves. Them thus imployed beheld

With pity Heaven’s high King, and to him called
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Meanwhile in Heaven, God was watching. He called upon the Angel Raphael.
Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deigned

He was a pretty cool Angel, he was very sociable.
To travel with Tobias, and secured

His marriage with the seven-times-wedded maid.

  “Raphael,” said he, “thou hear’st what stir on Earth

God said, "Raphael, I have a bad feeling about what's happening on Earth. 
Satan, from Hell scaped through the darksome Gulf,
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I've noticed Satan
Hath raised in Paradise, and how disturbed

meddling.  
This night the human pair; now he designs

He gave Eve a visit in her dreams, and he's planning something terrible.
In them at once to ruin all mankind.

He seeks to ruin and corrupt all of mankind. 
Go, therefore; half this day, as friend with friend,

I want you to go down there at noontime
Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade
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and find Adam. 
Thou find’st him from the heat of noon retired

To respite his day-labour with repast

Or with repose; and such discourse bring on

You will have an important conversation.
As may advise him of his happy state—

You will tell him that their overall happiness
Happiness in his power left free to will,
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depends on how he uses
Left to his own free will, his will though free

his free will.
Yet mutable. Whence warn him to beware

Please warn him to beware
He swerve not, too secure: tell him withal

and keep a look out for anything strange.
His danger, and from whom; what enemy,

Explain that he is in danger
Late fallen himself from Heaven, is plotting now
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and that Satan is plotting
The fall of others from like state of bliss.

to make everyone else miserable and fallen like Satan himself. 
By violence? no, for that shall be withstood;

Comfort Adam that this danger doesn't come from violence.
But by deceit and lies. This let him know,

But the danger comes through deciet and lies. 
Lest, wilfully transgressing, he pretend

Make Adam understand that, this warning is on the record so he can't say we didn't warn him!"
Surprisal, unadmonished, unforewarned.”
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  So spake the Eternal Father, and fulfilled

God made sure to cover his own ass once shit hits the fan. 
All justice. Nor delayed the winged Saint

After his charge received; but from among

Thousand celestial Ardours, where he stood

Suddenly a thousand other Angels
Veiled with his gorgeous wings, upspringing light,
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Flew through the midst of Heaven. The angelic quires

On each hand parting, to his speed gave way

quickly made a path for Raphael to pass through
Through all the empyreal road, till, at the gate

Of Heaven arrived, the gate self-opened wide,

toward the gate of Heaven, which opened by itself.
On golden hinges turning, as by work
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Divine the sovran Architect had framed.

From hence—no cloud or, to obstruct his sight,

And Raphael, without anything in his line of sight, 
Star interposed, however small—he sees,

he saw
Not unconform to other shining globes,

Earth, and the Garden of God, with cedars crowned
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Earth, and the Garden of Eden.
Above all hills; as when by night the glass

Of Galileo, less assured, observes

He was like Galileo
Imagined lands and regions in the Moon;

looking through a telescope at distant sights.
Or pilot from amidst the Cyclades

Or like a ship's pilot looking toward distant islands to discover.
Delos or Samos first appearing kens,
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A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight

Raphael went and drove straight down. 
He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky

Fast like a rocket. 
Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing

Sailing with steady wings. 
Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan

And once he hit the atmosphere, he 
Winnows the buxom air, till, within soar
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Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems

flapped his wings like a bird.
A phœnix, gazed by all, as that sole bird,

He was like a beautiful phoenix bird. 
When, to enshrine his relics in the Sun’s

Bright temple, to Ægyptian Thebes he flies.

At once on the eastern cliff of Paradise
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He finally landed on an Eastern cliff of Paradise.
He lights, and to his proper shape returns,

A Seraph winged. Six wings he wore, to shade

This Angel was majestic. He had six wings
His lineaments divine: the pair that clad

Each shoulder broad came mantling o’er his breast

A set on his shoulders,
With regal ornament; the middle pair
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a colorful set  at his
Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round

waist
Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold

And colours dipt in heaven; the third his feet

and the third set on his feet. Very extra. 
Shadowed from either heel with feathered mail,

Sky-tinctured grain. Like Maia’s son he stood,
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And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance filled

With every beat of his wings, a heavenly perfume came out. 
The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands

Of Angels under watch, and to his state

Some Angels that were on guard at this cliff, 
And to his message high in honour rise;

immediately recognized Raphael. The stood up to show him some respect. 
For on some message high they guessed him bound.
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They also recognized that this was an Angel on a mission.
Their glittering tents he passed, and now is come

Raphael passed by their tents
Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh,

and he walked into a forest of myrrh.
And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm,

A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here

Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will
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Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet,

Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.

Him, through the spicy forest onward come,

He walked through a bunch of beautiful and fragrant things. 
Adam discerned, as in the door he sat

Adam saw the Angel coming. Adam was just
Of his cool bower, while now the mounted Sun
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chilling in the shade outside his shelter.
Shot down direct his fervid rays, to warm

Earth’s inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs’

And Eve, within, due at her hour, prepared

While Eve was inside 
For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please

putting together some delicious fruit for 
True appetite, and not disrelish thirst
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a snack.
Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream,

She was also squeezing some other fruits to
Berry or grape: to whom thus Adam called:—

make something nice to drink. 
  “Haste hither, Eve, and, worth thy sight, behold

Adam hollered, "Eve! Hurry and look!
Eastward among those trees what glorious Shape

Look toward the trees, it's glorious. It's as
Comes this way moving; seems another morn
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bright as the sun!
Risen on mid-noon. Some great behest from Heaven

It must be a message from God, from the Heavens!
To us perhaps he brings, and will voutsafe

This day to be our guest. But go with speed, He is our guest. So quickly,
And what thy stores contain bring forth, and pour

bring forth all our best 
Abundance fit to honour and receive
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foods and refreshments.
Our heavenly stranger; well may we afford

We will give him
Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow

all the great things that
From large bestowed, where Nature multiplies

God has given us."
Her fertile growth, and by disburdening grows

More fruitful; which instructs us not to spare.”
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  To whom thus Eve:—“Adam, Earth’s hallowed mould,

Eve replies, "Adam, 
Of God inspired, small store will serve where store,

we actually don't store a lot of things
All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;

because all around us
Save what, by frugal storing, firmness gains

is everything that we need.
To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes.
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But I will haste, and from each bough and brake,

But, I'll quickly put something together.
Each plant and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choice

To entertain our Angel-guest as he,

We will impress our guest!"
Beholding, shall confess that here on Earth

God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heaven.”
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  So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste

She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent

With hospitality in mind
What choice to choose for delicacy best,

she wanted to only serve the best.
What order so contrived as not to mix

Tastes, not well joined, inelegant, but bring
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Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change:

Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk

Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields

After all, all the delicious foods that you and I enjoy,
In India East or West, or middle shore

no matter where you're from, 
In Pontus or the Punic coast, or where
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Alcinous reigned, fruit of all kinds, in coat

Rough or smooth-rined, or bearded husk, or shell,

She gathers, tribute large, and on the board

Can be found here in Paradise. 
Heaps with unsparing hand. For drink the grape

She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths
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Eve made drinks.
From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressed


She tempers dulcet creams—nor those to hold

Wants her fit vessels pure; then strews the ground

With rose and odours from the shrub unfumed.

  Meanwhile our primitive great Sire, to meet
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Meanwhile, Adam went to meet with
His godlike guest, walks forth, without more train

their guest.
Accompanied than with his own complete

Perfections; in himself was all his state,

More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits

On princes, when their rich retin’ue long
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Of horses led and grooms besmeared with gold

Dazzles the crowd and sets them all agape.

Nearer his presence, Adam, though not awed,

Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,

As to a superior nature, bowing low,
        360
Adam bowed, and said,
Thus said:—“Native of Heaven (for other place


None can than Heaven such glorious Shape contain),

"You look so glorious! 
Since, by descending from the Thrones above,

You greatly honor us by coming down from above
Those happy places thou hadst deigned a while

To want, and honour these, voutsafe with us,
        365
to visit with us."
Two only, who yet by sovran gift possess

This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower

To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears

To sit and taste, till this meridian heat

Be over, and the sun more cool decline.”
        370
  Whom thus the angelic Virtue answered mild:—

The Angel replied, 
“Adam, I therefore came; nor art thou such

"Adam, 
Created, or such place hast here to dwell,

your dwelling is very 
As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heaven,

inviting.
To visit thee. Lead on, then, where thy bower
        375
O’ershades; for these mid-hours, till evening rise,

I can stay here until the evening."
I have at will.” So to the sylvan lodge

Adam and Raphael arrived to the shelter. 
They came, that like Pomona’s arbour smiled,

With flowerets decked and fragrant smells. But Eve,

Undecked, save with herself, more lovely fair
        380
Eve was there to greet them.
Than wood-nymph, or the fairest goddess feigned

Of three that in Mount Ida naked strove,

Stood to entertain her guest from Heaven; no veil

She needed, virtue-proof; no thought infirm

Altered her cheek. On whom the Angel “Hail!”
        385
Raphael said, "Hail, Eve!
Bestowed—the holy salutation used

Long after to blest Mary, second Eve:—

  “Hail! Mother of mankind, whose fruitful womb

the Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb
Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons

will fill the world with your sons, more than
Than with these various fruits the trees of God
        390
the fruits these trees will bear."
Have heaped this table!” Raised of grassy turf

Their table was, and mossy seats had round,

The table of refreshments was made out of moss and grassy.
And on her ample square, from side to side,

And it was covered and full with
All Autumn piled, though Spring and Autumn here

all the fruit that was always in season here in Paradise. 
Danced hand-in-hand. A while discourse they hold—
        395
No fear lest dinner cool—when thus began

Our Author:—“Heavenly Stranger, please to taste

Adam said, 
These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom

"So. This is our human food,
All perfect good, unmeasured-out, descends.

To us for food and for delight hath caused
        400
and I wonder...
The Earth to yield: unsavoury food, perhaps,

do Angels even like this kind of food?"
To Spiritual Natures; only this I know,

That one Celestial Father gives to all.”

  To whom the Angel:—“Therefore, what he gives

Raphael replied, "Everything that God gives
(Whose praise be ever sung) to Man, in part
        405
to Man, is spiritual.
Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found

No ingrateful food: and food alike those pure

And that means it's good for us Angels too. 
Intelligential substances require


As doth your Rational; and both contain

Within them every lower faculty
        410
Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,

Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,

And corporeal to incorporeal turn.

For know, whatever was created needs

Just think about this, everything that has been created
To be sustained and fed. Of Elements
        415
needs to be sustained and fed. 
The grosser feeds the purer: Earth the Sea;

Earth and the Sea feed Air; the Air those Fires


Ethereal, and, as lowest, first the Moon;

Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurged,

Vapours not yet into her substance turned.
        420
Nor doth the Moon no nourishment exhale

From her moist continent to higher Orbs.

The Sun, that light imparts to all, receives

From all his alimental recompense

In humid exhalations, and at even
        425
Sups with the Ocean. Though in Heaven the trees

You have many things here on Earth that even Heaven
Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines

doesn't have. 
Yield nectar—though from off the boughs each morn

We brush mellifluous dews and find the ground

Covered with pearly grain—yet God hath here
        430
Varied his bounty so with new delights

As may compare with Heaven; and to taste

So I shall indulge in your earthly bounty as it greatly interests me."
Think not I shall be nice.” So down they sat,

They sat and ate. 
And to their viands fell; nor seemingly

The Angel, nor in mist—the common gloss
        435
The Angel...
Of theologians—but with keen dispatch

Of real hunger, and concoctive heat

seemed pretty hungry!
To transubstantiate: what redounds transpires

And it was interesting and peculiar to Adam and Eve. 
Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder, if by fire

Of sooty coal the Empiric Alchimist
        440
Can turn, or holds it possible to turn,

Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold,

As from the mine. Meanwhile at table Eve

Eve kept the drinks flowing. 
Ministered naked, and their flowing cups

Yes, she was naked, we all know Adam and Eve were naked. 
With pleasant liquors crowned. O innocence
        445
And everyone was liquored up. But since we're in innocent Paradise, 
Deserving Paradise! If ever, then,

no one lusted after each other the way we would do today after a few drinks. 
Then had the Sons of God excuse to have been

Enamoured at that sight. But in those hearts

Love unlibidinous reigned, nor jealousy

Was understood, the injured lover’s hell.
        450
  Thus when with meats and drinks they had sufficed,

Once they had finished eating,
Not burdened nature, sudden mind arose

In Adam not to let the occasion pass,

Adam wanted to know a few things,
Given him by this great conference, to know

Of things above his world, and of their being
        455
especially about things above, in Heaven
Who dwell in Heaven, whose excellence he saw

and about those who were in Heaven. 
Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms,

Divine effulgence, whose high power so far

Exceeded human; and his wary speech

Thus to the empyreal minister he framed:—
        460
Adam said to the Angel,
  Inhabitant with God, now know I well

"Now I know very well,
They favour, in this honour done to Man;

Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsafed

To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste,

that although you've enjoyed this meal, 
Food not of Angels, yet accepted so
        465
especially food that Angels don't usually eat,
As that more willingly thou couldst not seem

At Heaven’s high feasts to have fed: yet what compare!”

this can't possibly compare with what you're used to eating in Heaven!"
  To whom the wingèd Hierarch replied:—

The Angel replied, 
“O Adam, one almighty is, from whom

"Ah, Adam... 
All things proceed, and up to him return,
        470
everything comes from God... and goes to God in return,
If not depraved from good, created all

as long as it's good and not corrupted. God created
Such to perfection; one first matter all,

everything from the same basic material.
Indued with various forms, various degrees

It's made into different forms that we can all recognize, see, and feel. 
Of substance, and, in things that live, of life;


But more refined, more spiritous and pure,
        475
The more refined, spiritous, and pure a life form is...
As nearer to him placed or nearer tending

is all because it is growing closer to God. 
Each in their several active spheres assigned,

Till body up to spirit work, in bounds

Proportioned to each kind. So from the root

Here's an example, 
Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves
        480
Take the roots in the ground, from it a green stalk grows.
More aerie, last the bright consummate flower

From there, its leaves. 
Spirits odorous breathes: flowers and their fruit,

Then the flower, which has a sweet-smelling add delightful perfume. 
Man’s nourishment, by gradual scale sublimed,

It's like how man's nourishment comes from a fruit. 
To vital spirits aspire, to animal,

It does your body and spirit good
To intellectual; give both life and sense,
        485
as well as your mind and soul.
Fancy and understanding; whence the Soul

Eat good things and good things will happen to you. 
Reason receives, and Reason is her being,

Another thing, you and I think differently... 
Discursive, or Intuitive: Discourse

You think by reasoning,
Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,

We think more intuitively.
Differing but in degree, of kind the same.
        490
There are just degrees of differences.
Wonder not, then, what God for you saw good

My point is, you shouldn't be surprised that I happen to like your food spread. 
If I refuse not, but convert, as you,

It's just my body and spirit digests and metabolizes it in another way.
To proper substance. Time may come when Men

One day you ordinary men can 
With Angels may participate, and find

try out our Angel food.
No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare;
        495
It's a special diet
And from these corporal nutriments, perhaps,

complete with spiritual nutrients
Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit,

that will turn you into truer spirits similar to me. 
Improved by tract of time, and winged ascend

That way you could fly like us
Ethereal, as we, or may at choice

Here or in heavenly paradises dwell,
        500
and even live here or in Heaven with the big dogs,
If ye be found obedient, and retain

whatever you choose... that is... if you OBEY GOD.
Unalterably firm his love entire

AND ALWAYS LOVE HIM.
Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile enjoy,

In the meantime, 
Your fill, what happiness this happy state

enjoy your time and happiness here!"
Can comprehend, incapable of more.”
        505
  To whom the Patriarch of Mankind replied:—

Adam replied, 
“O favourable Spirit, propitious guest,

"Wow dude, 
Well hast thou taught the way that might direct

that's all really interesting.
Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set

From centre to circumference, whereon,
        510
In contemplation of created things,

By steps we may ascend to God. But say,

What meant that caution joined, If ye be found

Just had one thought though... what exactly do you mean 'if we continue to obey God?'
Obedient? Can we want obedience, then,

...like haven't we been obedient enough? or is no one paying attention?
To him, or possibly his love desert,
        515
Are you saying he might stop loving us or something?
Who formed us from the dust, and placed us here

Full to the utmost measure of what bliss

Human desires can seek or apprehend?”

  To whom the Angel:—“Son of Heaven and Earth,

The angel Raphael replied, "Adam...
Attend! That thou art happy, owe to God;
        520
listen carefully. 
That thou continuest such, owe to thyself,

God gave you perfect happiness and everything you need here.
That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.

It's just, whether you stay happy or not is dependent 
This was that caution given thee; be advised.

entirely on you and your obedience.
God made thee perfect, not immutable;

God made y'all perfectly good.
And good he made thee; but to persevere
        525
He also made it so you 
He left it in thy power—ordained thy will

By nature free, not over-ruled by fate

have the freedom to be whatever you want to be. You have a choice.
Inextricable, or strict necessity.

Our voluntary service he requires,

Like us angels, we've got the same deal too!  
Not our necessitated. Such with him
        530
Angels are always welcome in Heaven
Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how

as long as we stay obedient and 
Can hearts not free be tried whether they serve

serve of our own free will.
Willing or no, who will but what they must

By destiny, and can no other choose?

Myself, and all the Angelic Host, that stand
        535
In sight of god enthroned, our happy state

Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds.

We have freedom too.
On other surety none: freely we serve,

Because we freely love, as in our will

To love or not; in this we stand or fall.
        540
And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen,

However, there ARE some angels who
And so from Heaven to deepest Hell. Of fall

decided not to be obedient. They were obviously kicked out of Heaven and thrown into Hell."
From what high state of bliss into what woe!”

  To whom our great Progenitor:—“Thy words

Adam said "Okay, I totally get it now.
Attentive, and with more delighted ear,
        545
Divine instructor, I have heard, than when

Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills

Aerial music send. Nor knew I not

But I kind of already knew I was created with free will.
To be, both will and deed, created free.

Yet that we never shall forget to love
        550
And trust me when I say this, but we have absolutely no
Our Maker, and obey him whose command

intention of disobeying God
Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts

because he's been so kind and thoughtful to us. 
Assured me, and still assure; though what thou tell’st

Hath passed in Heaven some doubt within me move,

But more desire to hear, if thou consent,
        555
Can you tell me more, if you don't mind, about 
The full relation, which must needs be strange,

the angels getting thrown out of Heaven?
Worthy of sacred silence to be heard.

And we have yet large day, for scarce the Sun

We've got the whole afternoon together,
Hath finished half his journey, and scarce begins

I'd love to know the full story."
His other half in the great zone of heaven.”
        560
  Thus Adam made request; and Raphael,

After short pause assenting, thus began:—

Raphael replied after a short pause
  “High matter thou injoin’st me, O prime of Men—

"You... ask a lot of questions. 
Sad task and hard; for how shall I relate

To human sense the invisible exploits
        565
Hmmm how can I help you relate and understand
Of warring Spirits? how, without remorse,

the magnitude of how Angels go to war?
The ruin of so many, glorious once

It's heartbreaking for me to recall the story, especially thinking of all the angels that were lost. 
And perfect while they stood? how, last, unfold

The secrets of another world, perhaps

It's a lot for ordinary humans to handle...
Not lawful to reveal? Yet for thy good
        570
This is dispensed; and what surmounts the reach

Of human sense I shall delineate so,

But you are special, 
By likening spiritual to corporal forms,

And god made you in a special way to be able to understand
As may express them best—though what if Earth

what I will tell you. I'll try to help you imagine Heaven in the context of Earth as you know it.
Be but the shadow of Heaven, and things therein
        575
Each to other like more than on Earth is thought!

  “As yet this World was not, and Chaos wild

One day, before this world here was even made,
Reigned where these heavens now rowl, where Earth now rests

Upon her centre poised, when on a day

(For Time, though in Eternity, applied
        580
To motion, measures all things durable

By present, past, and future), on such day

As Heaven’s great year brings forth, the empyreal host

all the angels were called together for a meeting.
Of Angels, by imperial summons called,

Innumerable before the Almighty’s throne
        585
Forthwith from all the ends of Heaven appeared

Thousands and thousands of angels came together. 
Under their hierarchs in orders bright.

Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced,

All in order too, organized by flags and banners displaying their respective ranks. 
Standards and gonfalons, ’twixt van and rear

Stream in the air, and for distinction serve
        590
Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees:

Or in their glittering tissues bear imblazed

Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love

Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs

They all formed orbs around 
Of circuit inexpressible they stood,
        595
Orb within orb, the Father Infinite,

God, 
By whom in bliss imbosomed sat the Son,

who sat on a 
Amidst, as from a flaming Mount, whose top

flaming mountain top beside his Son.
Brightness had made invisible, thus spake:

It was so bright you could barely see them. 
  “‘Hear, all ye Angels, Progeny of Light,
        600
God spoke 'Hey everyone, 
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,

Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand!

This day I have begot whom I declare

this is my Son. 
My only Son, and on this holy hill

He is my equal by the way. 
Him have anointed, whom ye now behold
        605
At my right hand. Your head I him appoint,

He is my right hand man. 
And by myself have sworn to him shall bow

So 
All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord.

if i were you I'd consider him your Lord from now on
Under his great vicegerent reign abide,

and definitely treat him and worship him as you treat and worship me.
United as one individual soul,
        610
For ever happy. Him who disobeys

On that note, if you disobey him
Me disobeys, breaks union, and, that day,

that's exactly like disobeying me. 
Cast out form God and blessed vision, falls

Into utter darkness, deep ingulfed, his place

Which in turn results in you being thrown out of Heaven and into Hell to suffer for eternity. Got it? Okay.' 
Ordained without redemption, without end.’
        615
  “So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words

All seemed well pleased; all seemed, but were not all.

Most angels were happy, 
That day, as other solemn days, they spent

but some weren't pleased with this little announcement.
In song and dance about the sacred Hill—

They spent the rest of the time 
Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere
        620
dancing and celebrating in a mystical way. 
Of planets and of fixed in all her wheels

Their movements were as wondrous, mysterious, and 
Resembles, nearest; mazes intricate,

complicated as the movements of the stars and planets in the galaxy. 
Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular

Then most when most irregular they seem;

And in their motions harmony divine
        625
So smooths her charming tones that God’s own ear

God enjoyed it all. 
Listens delighted. Evening now approached

The revelry carried on into the evening.
(For we have also our evening and our morn—

(Yeah, we have evenings too.)
We ours for change delectable, not need);

Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn
        630
And evening time means dinner time. 
Desirous: all in circles as they stood,

Tables are set, and on a sudden piled

The tables were set, 
With Angels’ food; and rubied nectar flows

piled high with angel food,
In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold,

gaudy gold cups decorated with diamonds and jewels,
Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven.
        635
all filled with nectar. 
On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crowned,

All the angels sat on flowers and they each had flower crowns on their heads. 
They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet

Quaff immortality and joy, secure

Of surfeit where full measure only bounds

Excess, before the all-bounteous King, who showered
        640
They ate, drank, 
With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy.

and had a great time.
Now when ambrosial Night, with clouds exhaled

From that high mount of God whence light and shade

Spring both, the face of brightest Heaven had changed

To grateful twilight (for Night comes not there
        645
As night drew closer 
In darker veil), and roseate dews disposed

All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest,

every angel became sleepy, except for God as he doesn't have to sleep lol
Wide over all the plain, and wider far

Than all this globous Earth in plain outspread

(Such are the Courts of God), the Angelic throng,
        650
Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend

Shelters magically materialized across the land.
By living streams among the trees of life—

Pavilions numberless and sudden reared,

Celestial tabernacles, where they slept,

Fanned with cool winds; save those who, in their course,
        655
The angels went to sleep in their quarters, 
Melodious hymns about the sovran Throne

except for a few angels that wanted to keep singing hymns all night. 
Alternate all night long. But not so waked

One particular angel didn't stay awake to sing or enjoy the hymns. . 
Satan—so call him now; his former name

Satan, and we don't even refer to him by his previous name anymore. 
Is heard no more in Heaven. He, of the first,

He was a top angel. One of the highest!
If not the first Archangel, great in power,
        660
In favour, and preëminence, yet fraught

With envy against the Son of God, that day

But he was very jealous. of the Son of God. 
Honoured by his great Father, and proclaimed

Messiah, King Anointed, could not bear,

Through pride, that sight, and thought himself impaired.
        665
Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain,

Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour

At midnight, he woke up his next in command
Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolved

With all his legions to dislodge, and leave

Unworshiped, unobeyed, the Throne supreme.
        670
Contemptuous, and, his next subordinate

and began to plot against God and his son. 
Awakening, thus to him in secret spake:—

  “‘Sleep’st thou, companion dear? what sleep can close

'Dude, how can you sleep
Thy eyelids? and rememberest what decree,

after hearing all that?
Of yesterday, so late hath passed the lips
        675
Of Heaven’s Almighty? Thou to me thy thoughts

I bet we were thinking of the same thing...
Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont, to impart;

Both waking we were one; how, then, can now

Thy sleep dissent? New laws thou seest imposed;

New laws from him who reigns new minds may raise
        680
there might be some new changes coming that I don't even want to think about right now. 
In us who serve—new counsels, to debate

What doubtful may ensue. More in this place

To utter is not safe. Assemble thou

Anyway, it's not safe to speak about it here.
Of all those myriads which we lead the chief;

Tell them that, by command, ere yet dim Night
        685
Get all of our men together
Her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste,

And all who under me their banners wave,

Homeward with flying march where we possess

The Quarters of the North, there to prepare

and tell them to meet at our quarters in the North,
Fit entertainment to receive our King,
        690
The great Messiah, and his new commands,

so we can plan something special for our new king
Who speedily through all the Hierarchies

when he starts to exercise his newfound powers on us.'
Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws.’

  “So spake the false Archangel, and infused

Satan was clearly a bad influence on his friend,
Bad influence into the unwary breast
        695
who did as he was told and 
Of his associate. He together calls,

spread the word.
Or several one by one, the regent Powers,

Under him regent; tells, as he was taught,

That, the Most High commanding, now ere Night,

Now ere dim Night had disincumbered Heaven,
        700
The great hierarchal standard was to move;

Tells the suggested cause, and casts between

Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound

Or taint integrity. But all obeyed

The wonted signal, and superior voice
        705
Of their great Potentate; for great indeed

His name, and high was his degree in Heaven:

Satan was well respected in Heaven, so 
His countenance, as the morning-star that guides

it was no problem to get loyal followers on board. 
The starry flock allured them, and with lies

Drew after him the third part of Heaven’s host.
        710
About 1/3 of Heaven's population were drawn to Satan's influence.  
Meanwhile, the Eternal Eye, whose sight discerns

Meanwhile, God knew this was all happening.
Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy Mount,

There's nothing anyone can hide from him as he can see even the deepest thoughts in everyone's minds. 
And from within the golden Lamps that burn

Nightly before him, saw without their light

Rebellion rising—saw in whom, how spread
        715
He saw the rebellion forming. 
Among the Sons of Morn, what multitudes

Were banded to oppose his high decree;

And, smiling, to his only Son thus said:—

So he turned to his son and said
  “‘Son, thou in whom my glory I behold

In full resplendence, Heir of all my might,
        720
'An enemy is rising
Nearly it now concerns us to be sure

Of our Omnipotence, and with what arms

We mean to hold what anciently we claim

Of deity or empire: such a foe

Is rising, who intends to erect his throne
        725
and trying to build an empire or kingdom that intends to be equal to ours.
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious North;

Nor so content, hath in his thought to try

In battle what our power is or our right.

He is also preparing for war. 
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw

With speed what force is left, and all imploy
        730
In our defence, lest unawares we lose

This our high place, our Sanctuary, our Hill.’

So we must prepare for war too.'
  “To whom the Son, with calm aspect and clear

The son, calmly replied 
Lightening divine, ineffable, serene,


Made answer:—’Mighty Father, thou thy foes
        735

Justly hast in derision, and secure

Laugh’st at their vain designs and tumults vain—

'Father, I know you're taking some joy at their plans,
Matter to me of glory, whom their hate

and they may hate me
Illustrates, when they see all regal power

Given me to quell their pride, and in event
        740
Know whether I be dextrous to subdue

but they're just going to make me look so much better once I defeat them for you.'
Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven.’

  “So spake the Son; but Satan with his Powers

Far was advanced on wingèd speed, an host

Meanwhile, Satan was on his way to the north quarters..
Innumerable as the stars of night,
        745
Or stars of morning, dew-drops which the sun

With his army of angels behind him, they looked like a galaxy of stars.
Impearls on every leaf and every flower.

Regions they passed, the mighty regencies

Of Seraphim and Potentates and Thrones

In their triple degrees—regions to which
        750
All thy dominion, Adam, is no more

Than what this garden is to all the earth

And all the sea, from one entire globose

Stretched into longitude; which having passed,

At length into the limits of the North
        755
They reached the northernmost point in Heaven. 
They came, and Satan to his royal seat

Satan sat on his throne, 
High on a hill, far-blazing, as a mount

Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers

surrounded by diamonds pyramids and towers. 
From diamond quarries hewn and rocks of gold—

The palace of great Lucifer (so call
        760
This was Lucifer's palace. That was his name. 
That structure, in the dialect of men

Interpreted) which, not long after, he,

Affecting all equality with God,

He started to speak, emulating God above all 
In imitation of that mount whereon

Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven,
        765
The Mountain of the Congregation called;

For thither he assembled all his train,

Pretending so commanded to consult

About the great reception of their King

Thither to come, and with calumnious art
        770
Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears:—

  “‘Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers—

'Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers...
If these magnific titles yet remain

what do these titles even mean anymore?
Not merely titular, since by decree

Another now hath to himself ingrossed
        775
Now that we 
All power, and us eclipsed under the name

Of King Anointed; for whom all this haste

have this new king around and he has so much power
Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here,

do you think these titles even matter? I'm glad we could meet so quickly. 
This only to consult, how we may best,

With what may be devised of honours new,
        780
Receive him coming to receive from us

We need to figure out how to handle this guy, 
Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile!

especially if he comes over here trying to expect all of us to kneel. 
Too much to one! but double how endured—

To one and to his image now proclaimed?

But what if better counsels might erect
        785
Aren't we all tired of this?
Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke!

Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend

Or would you rather just deal with it as always, 
The supple knee? Ye will not, if I trust

and kneel?
To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves

Natives and Sons of Heaven possessed before
        790
They don't own you. 
By none, and, if not equal all, yet free,

Nobody owns you! You're free! And you've 
Equally free; for orders and degrees

always been free. You can do whatever you want. 
Jar not with liberty, but well consist.

Who can in reason, then, or right, assume

Who are they to have power over us, 
Monarchy over such as live by right
        795
His equals—if in power and splendour less,

aren't we all equal? Who are they to give us 
In freedom equal? or can introduce arbitrary laws?
Law and edict on us, who without law

Err not? much less for this to be our Lord,

And look for adoration, to the abuse
       800
Most of all, who is this son of god and why does god expect us to worship and serve him? We are leaders, not servants.' 
Of those imperial titles which assert

Our being ordained to govern, not to serve!
  “Thus far his bold discourse without control

Had audience, when, among the Seraphim,
Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored
805
Abdiel the angel stood up,
The Deity, and divine commands obeyed,
Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe

he was one of God's most faithful angels.
The current of his fury thus opposed:— He raised his voice and said 
  “‘O argument blasphe’mous, false, and proud—

'LIES AND BLASPHEMY!
Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven 810 We don't talk like that 
Expected; least of all from thee, ingrate,

about God and his son here in Heaven.
In place thyself so high above thy peers! Especially coming from someone like you in such a highly respected position. 
Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn

The just decree of God, pronounced and sworn,
That to his only Son, by right endued
815
With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven
Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due

Confess him rightful King? Unjust, thou say’st, So, you say it's not fair. to impose laws on 
Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free,

free angels and how we should just let everybody rule equally. 
And equal over equals to let reign, 820 If that were the case, are you going to tell God what to do?
One over all with unsucceeded power!

Shalt thou give law to God? shalt thou dispute
With Him the points of liberty, who made

Are you going to teach him about liberty? He made you!
Thee what Thou art, and formed the Powers of Heaven He gave us all our powers, and our limits!
Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being?
825
Yet, by experience taught, we know how good, In our collective experience, we know how 
And of our good and of our dignity

god God is. 
How provident, he is—how far from thought He knows what's best for us. 
To make us less; bent rather to exalt

He is not trying to make us less, 
Our happy state, under one Head more near 830 he just wants to make us happier and 
United. But—to grant it thee unjust

more united. 
That equal over equals monarch reign—
Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count,

You are right that it wouldn't be fair for equals
Or all angelic nature joined in one, to act as a king over his equals. 
Equal to him, begotten Son, by whom,
835
But do you yourself truly see yourself as equal to the son of god?
As by his Word, the mighty Father made
All things, even thee, and all the Spirits of Heaven

By him created in their bright degrees, God created all things through his son.
Crowned them with glory, and to their glory named Even YOU. 
Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers?—
840
Essential Powers; nor by his reign obscured,
But more illustrious made; since he, the head,

God placing his son as the head of all of us
One of our number thus reduced becomes; doesn't make us any less than what we are.
His laws our laws; all honour to him done

It makes him one of us, his laws become our laws,
Returns our own. Cease, then, this impious rage, 845 and we all share in the same glory. So take your angry words back before it is too late.'
And tempt not these; but hasten to appease

The incensèd Father and the incensed Son
While pardon may be found, in time besought.’

  “So spake the fervent Angel; but his zeal The angel Abdiel spoke all this and made his case,
None seconded, as out of season judged,
850
but Satan was pleased that no one else
Or singular and rash. Whereat rejoiced stood up and showed Abdiel any support. 
The Apostat, and, more haughty, thus replied:—

Satan replied
  “‘That we were formed, then, say’st thou? and the work
Of secondary hands, by task transferred

From Father to his Son? Strange point and new! 855 'Interesting points, but it is news to me that we were created by the son of God. 
Doctrine which we would know whence learned! Who saw

When this creation was? Remember’st thou Where exactly did you hear that? Do you even remember being made? 
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being? None of us do. We remember always being here in Heaven. 
We know no time when we were not as now;

Know none before us, self-begot, self-raised 860 We are part of Heaven, self-begot, self-raised, self-taught.
By our own quickening power when fatal course

And we make our own power and choices. 
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature
Of this our native Heaven, Ethereal Sons.

Our puissance is our own; our own right hand
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try
865
God and his son will soon find out
Who is our equal. Then thou shalt behold who is really equal. 
Whether by supplication we intend

Address, and to begirt the Almighty Throne
Beseeching or besieging. This report,

Take that message back to your new king. And GTFO of here while you still can.' 
These tidings, carry to the Anointed King; 870
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.’

  “He said; and, as the sound of waters deep,
Hoarse murmur echoed to his words applause

The horde of angels murmured in agreement and applause, 
Through the infinite Host. Nor less for that
The flaming Seraph, fearless, though alone,
875
but Abdiel was not afraid at all. 
Encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold:— Abdiel replied, 
  “‘O alienate from God, O Spirit accursed, "You're all accursed. 
Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall

Determined, and thy hapless crew involved You're spreading your negativity and fraud like a disease
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread
880
Both of thy crime and punishment. Henceforth
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke

Of God’s Messiah. Those indulgent laws Don't worry about the son of god's gentle laws then, 
Will not be now voutsafed; other decrees

they're obviously not for you. 
Against thee are gone forth without recall; 885
That golden sceptre which thou didst reject

Is now an iron rod to bruise and break
Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise;

Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly I'm going to leave now, but not because of your empty threats.
These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrauth
890
Impendent, raging into sudden flame, I just don't want to be here when God sets it all on fire with all of you in it.
Distinguish not: for soon expect to feel

His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.
Then who can created thee lamenting learn

He created you, and he can easily uncreate you too. Just wait and see.'
When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.’ 895
  “So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found; Abdiel was the only faithful angel out of all of them. 
Among the faithless faithful only he;

Among innumerable false unmoved,
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,

His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal; 900
Nor number nor example with him wrought

To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,
Though single. From amidst them forth he passed,

Abdiel walked away, as all of their scornful and hateful faces watched him. 
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained
Superior, nor of violence feared aught; 905
And with retorted scorn his back he turned Abdiel gave them dirty looks too and then moved on. He turned his back on a doomed Satan. 
On those proud towers, to swift destruction doomed.”

12 comments:

  1. Hi. Thank you for your translations thus far. I was wondering. Will you translate the rest of this book and the other books from Paradise Lost?

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  2. Hi. Thank you for your translations thus far. I was wondering, will you be translating the rest of this book and the left over books from Paradise Lost?

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  3. Hi I've read all the books you've translated so far and I've gotta say you make this amazing story 10×'s easier to grasp! Thank you so much!

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  4. please translate a girl be struglin on the struglle bus

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  5. Just wanted to say this has been a fantastic aid. You're doing God's work mate, thanks for all you've done.

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  6. pleaseeee finish! this has been so helpful so far :)

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  7. Can anyone tell me please where can I find his book 1 translation

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  8. this is so awesome tysm (wishing it was cleaner but thats ok)

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  9. This is so great! Would love to show my students, but the swearing is present. Might recite from paper to cover for the bad words!

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