Mundorum Explicatio or, The Explanation of an Hieroglyphical Figure: Wherein are couched the Mysteries of the External, Internal, and Eternal Worlds, shewing the true progress of a Soul from the Court of Jerusalem; from the Adamical fallen state to the Regenerate and Angelical. Being A Sacred Poem, written by S. P. [i.e. Samuel Pordage] |
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This wily Serpent all his craft did use,
His poyson th'row this Earth for to diffuse
Which he no way effect could: b'Adam's lapse
Only a way is made; He him intraps,
Assaults his free-will, doth expose to view
This World's rare beauties when 'twas formed new:
Shews him the tree forbid, whose dangling fruit
So pleasing, with a new made creature suit
He well knew would: This was the only gate
By which he hop'd to overthrow him at.
He knew beforehad the sad consequence
Of Adam's fall: Therefore he strives from whence
He was created to attract him; and
Thereby to lessen him of his Command.
Adam was King, sole Prince, and Lord of all
The Earth, but lost it by his fatal fall.
Sathan knew, he millions of Souls should gain
By this meanes, to encrease his hellish train;
And hop'd (it may be) for to conquer all
That should produc'd be on this earthly Ball,
If Adam should not fall, he likewise knew,
He in this World should nothing have to do,
But should be banish'd quite, which is the state
Is promised, for which the Angels wait;
To see Hel's power banish'd, Heav'n's alone
To have with this World's Spirit union:
Then shall the curse be fled, and Paradise
To flourish here we shall see with our eyes.
But Adam's fatal lapse, from what, to what,
In brief my slender Muse shall now relate.
His poyson th'row this Earth for to diffuse
Which he no way effect could: b'Adam's lapse
Only a way is made; He him intraps,
Assaults his free-will, doth expose to view
This World's rare beauties when 'twas formed new:
Shews him the tree forbid, whose dangling fruit
So pleasing, with a new made creature suit
He well knew would: This was the only gate
By which he hop'd to overthrow him at.
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Of Adam's fall: Therefore he strives from whence
He was created to attract him; and
Thereby to lessen him of his Command.
Adam was King, sole Prince, and Lord of all
The Earth, but lost it by his fatal fall.
Sathan knew, he millions of Souls should gain
By this meanes, to encrease his hellish train;
And hop'd (it may be) for to conquer all
That should produc'd be on this earthly Ball,
If Adam should not fall, he likewise knew,
He in this World should nothing have to do,
But should be banish'd quite, which is the state
Is promised, for which the Angels wait;
To see Hel's power banish'd, Heav'n's alone
To have with this World's Spirit union:
Then shall the curse be fled, and Paradise
To flourish here we shall see with our eyes.
But Adam's fatal lapse, from what, to what,
In brief my slender Muse shall now relate.
Th' Æternal one, or th' one Original,
Th' internal World's, which Principles we call,
Or his right hand, or left hand, Wrath, or Love
Considering, doth with his Spirit move
On them: what Images there Spiritual
Were, he gave them substance corporeal,
And by his Fiat this great Machine made
Of nought: and in such form and order laid
This huge vast Moles, (or live creature, some
So have affirm'd, I'n this a Sceptic am)
That there no disagreeing seeds appear'd,
All was by order, weight, and measure rear'd.
Heav'n, Earth, Ayr, Seas, Fire, Water, Land, and all
Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Birds, the which this Ball
Inhabited, they so created were
That they partak'd of each internal Sphear:
And though those Kingdoms ever disagree,
Were in the World in compleat harmony,
So had the great Creator order'd it,
And them so in their place, and order set,
That there was no disunion, for that seed
Of disagreement conquer'd was, and hid:
The lighter World was Master, th' other did
Obey as servant, and all things were good.
Th' internal World's, which Principles we call,
Or his right hand, or left hand, Wrath, or Love
Considering, doth with his Spirit move
On them: what Images there Spiritual
Were, he gave them substance corporeal,
And by his Fiat this great Machine made
Of nought: and in such form and order laid
This huge vast Moles, (or live creature, some
So have affirm'd, I'n this a Sceptic am)
That there no disagreeing seeds appear'd,
All was by order, weight, and measure rear'd.
Heav'n, Earth, Ayr, Seas, Fire, Water, Land, and all
Beasts, Fishes, Serpents, Birds, the which this Ball
Inhabited, they so created were
That they partak'd of each internal Sphear:
And though those Kingdoms ever disagree,
Were in the World in compleat harmony,
So had the great Creator order'd it,
And them so in their place, and order set,
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Of disagreement conquer'd was, and hid:
The lighter World was Master, th' other did
Obey as servant, and all things were good.
To what serv'd this the brutish Animal
God's mighty Wonders in their earthly Ball
Contemplate could not: God Almighty then
In his own holy likenesse formed Man;
His shape it may be somewhat like to this
We now do bear: But his pure Body was
Compos'd of Sulphur, Mercury, and Sal,
Out of the inward ground spiritual.
Its nature was, as all things then create,
Most pure, and good, and in a perfect state.
Into this new-made Form God breathed then
The breath of Life, which gave a Soul to Man,
Which Soul Eternal is; so fram'd by God
That from three Kingdoms it its being had:
Three Essences do it compose; so made
That it may stand, or be to hell betray'd:
Or like an empty Vacuum, which is
Capable to be fill'd with Wo, or Blisse:
For what the Soul cleaves most unto when she
Puts off this case, she to Æternity
Enjoys. Nor is she God as some do deem,
But 's express'd Word, or Breath to me doth seem:
Or a shot Ray from that diviner Sun,
Who is in all things, and is yet but One.
God's mighty Wonders in their earthly Ball
Contemplate could not: God Almighty then
In his own holy likenesse formed Man;
His shape it may be somewhat like to this
We now do bear: But his pure Body was
Compos'd of Sulphur, Mercury, and Sal,
Out of the inward ground spiritual.
Its nature was, as all things then create,
Most pure, and good, and in a perfect state.
Into this new-made Form God breathed then
The breath of Life, which gave a Soul to Man,
Which Soul Eternal is; so fram'd by God
That from three Kingdoms it its being had:
Three Essences do it compose; so made
That it may stand, or be to hell betray'd:
Or like an empty Vacuum, which is
Capable to be fill'd with Wo, or Blisse:
For what the Soul cleaves most unto when she
Puts off this case, she to Æternity
Enjoys. Nor is she God as some do deem,
But 's express'd Word, or Breath to me doth seem:
Or a shot Ray from that diviner Sun,
Who is in all things, and is yet but One.
Adam thus made, perfect, and good, by God
In Paradise is plac'd, a bless'd abode:
Then was the golden age indeed, Earth gave
Nor Weeds, nor Thorns, but cloath'd in liv'ry brave
Had a perpetual spring; continual green
In ev'ry place, on ev'ry tree was seen:
No dainty Flower, which art makes now to flourish,
But then the Earth did naturally nourish.
A constant verdure it retain'd, and then
With thousand flowers spotted was the green:
Each tree at one time bore both fruit, and flower;
Each herb to heal, but not to hurt had power.
No sharpnesse in the fruit, no naughty smell,
The worst fruit then, our best now, did excel:
No hurtful herb, no poysonous Root grew there,
Of 'ts own accord the Earth all things did bear,
No Summer's parching heat, nor Winter's cold
There was: one temperature did all infold.
Boreas broke not his Hyperborean den,
Nor did wet Auster, or that Eurus wen
From theirs: A pleasing Zepher only kist
The waving trees: No cloud nor foggy mist
Caus'd from the Earth's ill vapours; she had none:
No Sea-got cloud arose between the Sun
And th' pregnant Earth; no sudden storms of Rain:
No snow, no hail, nor thund'ring was there then.
Tempestuous Orion threatned not the Seas;
Nor shew'd the time to sail the Pleiades.
Saturn had then no naughty influence,
A fructifying power came from thence:
The Planets not in opposition mov'd:
The Heav'ns, the Earth, the Earth the Heav'ns lov'd:
Heav'n sent no storms Earth's beauties to deface,
Earth with dull mists dimm'd not Heav'ns brighter face:
No starr there was that had ill influence,
All Rays were blest that were projected thence.
All things in perfect Harmony agreed:
In Heav'n, nor Earth, was there discording seed.
The Lion, with the Lamb did play, the Bear
Rob'd not the Bees; nor sheep the Wolf did fear.
The crested Cock undauntedly stood by
The Fox, as then devoy'd of sublety:
The Toad no venom had; nor poysonous sting
The Scorpion: Nor did then the Birds great King
Feed on the rest: nor did the Falcon prey
Upon the Dove: nor Fishes in the Sea
Did feed the Cormorant: the lesser fry
Fed not the greater, nor was enmity
Then found in Birds, in Fishes, or in Beast:
LOVE all conjoyn'd, in Love all still did feast.
In Paradise is plac'd, a bless'd abode:
Then was the golden age indeed, Earth gave
Nor Weeds, nor Thorns, but cloath'd in liv'ry brave
Had a perpetual spring; continual green
In ev'ry place, on ev'ry tree was seen:
No dainty Flower, which art makes now to flourish,
But then the Earth did naturally nourish.
A constant verdure it retain'd, and then
With thousand flowers spotted was the green:
Each tree at one time bore both fruit, and flower;
Each herb to heal, but not to hurt had power.
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The worst fruit then, our best now, did excel:
No hurtful herb, no poysonous Root grew there,
Of 'ts own accord the Earth all things did bear,
No Summer's parching heat, nor Winter's cold
There was: one temperature did all infold.
Boreas broke not his Hyperborean den,
Nor did wet Auster, or that Eurus wen
From theirs: A pleasing Zepher only kist
The waving trees: No cloud nor foggy mist
Caus'd from the Earth's ill vapours; she had none:
No Sea-got cloud arose between the Sun
And th' pregnant Earth; no sudden storms of Rain:
No snow, no hail, nor thund'ring was there then.
Tempestuous Orion threatned not the Seas;
Nor shew'd the time to sail the Pleiades.
Saturn had then no naughty influence,
A fructifying power came from thence:
The Planets not in opposition mov'd:
The Heav'ns, the Earth, the Earth the Heav'ns lov'd:
Heav'n sent no storms Earth's beauties to deface,
Earth with dull mists dimm'd not Heav'ns brighter face:
No starr there was that had ill influence,
All Rays were blest that were projected thence.
All things in perfect Harmony agreed:
In Heav'n, nor Earth, was there discording seed.
The Lion, with the Lamb did play, the Bear
Rob'd not the Bees; nor sheep the Wolf did fear.
The crested Cock undauntedly stood by
The Fox, as then devoy'd of sublety:
The Toad no venom had; nor poysonous sting
The Scorpion: Nor did then the Birds great King
Feed on the rest: nor did the Falcon prey
Upon the Dove: nor Fishes in the Sea
Did feed the Cormorant: the lesser fry
Fed not the greater, nor was enmity
Then found in Birds, in Fishes, or in Beast:
LOVE all conjoyn'd, in Love all still did feast.
ADAM is Lord, and King: each animal
Comes at his beck, and doth obey his call;
All bow their lofty heads if he comes near,
The Hart, nor timerous Hare his presence fear,
The shaggy Lion, Bear, the Bull, the Bore,
Couch at his feet, him as their God adore.
He wanted not then, as we now do want,
Help from the Beasts, nor physick from the plant,
Meat from the Fowles, and Fishes: nor had he
So grosse a Body to be fed, as we.
Upon the tree of Life he only fed;
No vapours then arose to dull his head;
No sleep e'r clos'd his watchful eyes; nor knew
He want of it; no hunger did accrew.
His soul like ours was not parturient,
He saw th'row all things, knew what all things meant:
Gave names to all the Creatures, and did frame
Them, as their natures so he gave their Name.
Nor did he want the Camel, nor the Horse
To carry him, he in himself had force
Enough to move his Body, and to bear
It where he list, o're Sea, or th'row the Ayr.
No water could his Body drown, nor fire
Consume; nor subject was't to Death's dread ire.
It then immortal was imperishable;
Corporeal, and yet unalterable.
He such a Body had as Christ had on
After his glorious Resurrection.
Comes at his beck, and doth obey his call;
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The Hart, nor timerous Hare his presence fear,
The shaggy Lion, Bear, the Bull, the Bore,
Couch at his feet, him as their God adore.
He wanted not then, as we now do want,
Help from the Beasts, nor physick from the plant,
Meat from the Fowles, and Fishes: nor had he
So grosse a Body to be fed, as we.
Upon the tree of Life he only fed;
No vapours then arose to dull his head;
No sleep e'r clos'd his watchful eyes; nor knew
He want of it; no hunger did accrew.
His soul like ours was not parturient,
He saw th'row all things, knew what all things meant:
Gave names to all the Creatures, and did frame
Them, as their natures so he gave their Name.
Nor did he want the Camel, nor the Horse
To carry him, he in himself had force
Enough to move his Body, and to bear
It where he list, o're Sea, or th'row the Ayr.
No water could his Body drown, nor fire
Consume; nor subject was't to Death's dread ire.
It then immortal was imperishable;
Corporeal, and yet unalterable.
He such a Body had as Christ had on
After his glorious Resurrection.
In this state ADAM stood; but God foresaw
The wo that he soon on himself would draw:
Therefore he thus forewarns him: New made Soul!
Work of my Hands, in whom no pheeces foul
Remain! a second Deity! O thou
For ay mayst live! Thou art immortal now;
Thou art an Angel, and I thee prefer
For to possesse the Throne of LUCIFER.
For this end did I thee Create, that the
Voy'd Throne of LUCIFER, possess'd might be:
Thou shalt enjoy, and if thou stand'st upright,
Th' Eternal mansions of ne're fading Light.
Look to thy self therefore, for thou mayst guesse
LUCIFER envy will thy happinesse;
He'l strive to overthrow thee, and to gain
Thee to the mansions of Eternal pain.
Thou'rt now in Paradise, thy soul doth move
In my bright Kingdom of Æternal Love.
Now take thy choyse; I thee a free-will give;
Whether thou'lt mortal be, or ever live.
The way I'le tell thee, shew thee what to do,
If then thou fall'st, the fault shall lye on you.
Thou'rt now in Paradise, a second God,
If then thou would'st not lose this bless'd abode,
Put not thy will into that Kingdom, where
Reignes in my wrath the fallen LUCIFER.
Instead of Light, an Angel thou wilt be
Of darknesse then unto Æternity.
Nor put thy mind into this Earth below
Lust thou not after it; if thou dost so
Thou shalt a carnal Body have, and be
Subject to Death, lose Immortality.
But put thy Mind, thy Will, thy Faculties
In my Light-Kingdom; exercise thou these
There: Feed not on the Tree of death, nor on
The mortal fruit, but feed thou still upon
The Tree of Life: Th' one darknesse, th' other death,
But this doth true Æternal Life, bequeath,
Thou seest now what thou ought'st to do; standfast,
But forty dayes will thy temptation last,
In which time if thou fall'st not, thou shal't be
For ever cloath'd with Immortality:
Be like the Angels, as thou art; possesse
E'r-lasting Joys; Æternal Happinesse.
If not, this Body shall another have
Of the World's nature, subject to the grave,
And what thou now possessest thou shalt lose,
Go now or Death, or Life Æternal chuse.
The wo that he soon on himself would draw:
Therefore he thus forewarns him: New made Soul!
Work of my Hands, in whom no pheeces foul
Remain! a second Deity! O thou
For ay mayst live! Thou art immortal now;
Thou art an Angel, and I thee prefer
For to possesse the Throne of LUCIFER.
For this end did I thee Create, that the
Voy'd Throne of LUCIFER, possess'd might be:
Thou shalt enjoy, and if thou stand'st upright,
Th' Eternal mansions of ne're fading Light.
Look to thy self therefore, for thou mayst guesse
LUCIFER envy will thy happinesse;
60
Thee to the mansions of Eternal pain.
Thou'rt now in Paradise, thy soul doth move
In my bright Kingdom of Æternal Love.
Now take thy choyse; I thee a free-will give;
Whether thou'lt mortal be, or ever live.
The way I'le tell thee, shew thee what to do,
If then thou fall'st, the fault shall lye on you.
Thou'rt now in Paradise, a second God,
If then thou would'st not lose this bless'd abode,
Put not thy will into that Kingdom, where
Reignes in my wrath the fallen LUCIFER.
Instead of Light, an Angel thou wilt be
Of darknesse then unto Æternity.
Nor put thy mind into this Earth below
Lust thou not after it; if thou dost so
Thou shalt a carnal Body have, and be
Subject to Death, lose Immortality.
But put thy Mind, thy Will, thy Faculties
In my Light-Kingdom; exercise thou these
There: Feed not on the Tree of death, nor on
The mortal fruit, but feed thou still upon
The Tree of Life: Th' one darknesse, th' other death,
But this doth true Æternal Life, bequeath,
Thou seest now what thou ought'st to do; standfast,
But forty dayes will thy temptation last,
In which time if thou fall'st not, thou shal't be
For ever cloath'd with Immortality:
Be like the Angels, as thou art; possesse
E'r-lasting Joys; Æternal Happinesse.
If not, this Body shall another have
Of the World's nature, subject to the grave,
And what thou now possessest thou shalt lose,
Go now or Death, or Life Æternal chuse.
ADAM'S now left alone in Paradise
Unto the mortal Principle his eyes
He turns: For he has no desire to prove
The wrathful Kingdom; He's quite out of Love
With it; abhorrs it, turns his eyes away,
And lets them on this lower Orb to stray.
With it he's captivated, and his Lust,
Puts after it; he it desires to tast.
Or thus more properly: These Kingdoms three
In equal Concord plac'd in Adam be.
Nor the dark World, nor this low Orb, to prove
Should he desier; but that Orb of Love;
In that alone should his desire have gon,
With that, not these for to have union.
But his desier soon awakened
The humane property; unmaried
He quickly was from th' second Principle
When once from it unto the third he fell.
His Body changed is; or th' other this
More base indues: Strange Metamorphosis!
What was before diaphanous, and clear,
Not now transparent; muddy doth appear:
What was like ayr, is now like Earth; what light
Now's heavy; and for an unbounded sight,
Each object intervening hindereth:
For an immortal, now a mortal breath
He draws: His Body which before could flye
Clog'd now is with a load of flesh, doth lye
Fix'd to this Orb: his quicker pace now's gon,
He tries to flye but he can scarcely run:
He tries the Waters, at the Rivers brinks,
Passe as before he could not, now he sinks
Unto the bottom: that same Element
Small aid for to support his body lent.
Adam's amaz'd, and in the Chrystal Glasse
Of Waters, he beholds his limbs, and Face,
He feels his hair, his nose, his teeth, his flesh,
Then views, then feels, then views himself afresh.
Then tries to use his nimble feet; the Reeds
In running cut his naked legs, he bleeds;
He feels the smart, he wonders more at this,
And strangeth at his Metamorphosis.
With this grosse body, he a lesser sight
Gaines; he has lost th' immense, and heaven'ly Light
He had before. A smaller intellect
And understanding now he has: Direct
Himself he cann't; he finds his body's case
Like heavy shakels pin him to the place:
Anon dull sleep sits on his eyes, and he
Th'row out his body feels a Lethargy;
Extended on the verdant grasse he lyes
And soundly sleepeth with fast closed eyes.
Unto the mortal Principle his eyes
He turns: For he has no desire to prove
The wrathful Kingdom; He's quite out of Love
With it; abhorrs it, turns his eyes away,
And lets them on this lower Orb to stray.
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Puts after it; he it desires to tast.
Or thus more properly: These Kingdoms three
In equal Concord plac'd in Adam be.
Nor the dark World, nor this low Orb, to prove
Should he desier; but that Orb of Love;
In that alone should his desire have gon,
With that, not these for to have union.
But his desier soon awakened
The humane property; unmaried
He quickly was from th' second Principle
When once from it unto the third he fell.
His Body changed is; or th' other this
More base indues: Strange Metamorphosis!
What was before diaphanous, and clear,
Not now transparent; muddy doth appear:
What was like ayr, is now like Earth; what light
Now's heavy; and for an unbounded sight,
Each object intervening hindereth:
For an immortal, now a mortal breath
He draws: His Body which before could flye
Clog'd now is with a load of flesh, doth lye
Fix'd to this Orb: his quicker pace now's gon,
He tries to flye but he can scarcely run:
He tries the Waters, at the Rivers brinks,
Passe as before he could not, now he sinks
Unto the bottom: that same Element
Small aid for to support his body lent.
Adam's amaz'd, and in the Chrystal Glasse
Of Waters, he beholds his limbs, and Face,
He feels his hair, his nose, his teeth, his flesh,
Then views, then feels, then views himself afresh.
Then tries to use his nimble feet; the Reeds
In running cut his naked legs, he bleeds;
He feels the smart, he wonders more at this,
And strangeth at his Metamorphosis.
With this grosse body, he a lesser sight
Gaines; he has lost th' immense, and heaven'ly Light
He had before. A smaller intellect
And understanding now he has: Direct
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Like heavy shakels pin him to the place:
Anon dull sleep sits on his eyes, and he
Th'row out his body feels a Lethargy;
Extended on the verdant grasse he lyes
And soundly sleepeth with fast closed eyes.
God sees this lapse, he pitys him; he saw
His heav'nly Image from his sight withdraw:
ADAM his knowledge lost, and power too:
Help now himself he cann't; this did accrue
By's lapse; but had he stood in Paradise
His bless'd estate, had then been on this wise.
God's Image then he should have born for aye
But not as now, obscur'd with clogs of clay;
The heav'nly part should th'row the outward shine;
Free as the ayr; his meat, and drink divine;
Nor as we eat, should he have eaten then,
Magically, yet with mouth, lips, and tongue,
But not into the body, there's no vent
And nothing could turn into Excrement.
No need should he have had of carnal food,
The Beasts, nor Fowls could do him little good;
But God forese'ing he'd lapse from this bless'd state.
Did therefore them for's future helps create.
And yet he should have had his sences free,
In higher measure, and full purity.
Nor should he have continued alone,
(Such members as we have now he had none
To propogate) he magically, as
The Sun's bright beames the waters surface passe
Doth, without pain, so should he have brought forth
In Paradise. By a Cœlestial birth,
He should in God's bless'd Image more have got,
Æternal all, none subject to Fate's Lot.
He should both Father be, and Mother then,
For Male, and Female God created Man:
Both Man, and Woman, Wise, and Virgin he
Together was, in State of purity.
His heav'nly Image from his sight withdraw:
ADAM his knowledge lost, and power too:
Help now himself he cann't; this did accrue
By's lapse; but had he stood in Paradise
His bless'd estate, had then been on this wise.
God's Image then he should have born for aye
But not as now, obscur'd with clogs of clay;
The heav'nly part should th'row the outward shine;
Free as the ayr; his meat, and drink divine;
Nor as we eat, should he have eaten then,
Magically, yet with mouth, lips, and tongue,
But not into the body, there's no vent
And nothing could turn into Excrement.
No need should he have had of carnal food,
The Beasts, nor Fowls could do him little good;
But God forese'ing he'd lapse from this bless'd state.
Did therefore them for's future helps create.
And yet he should have had his sences free,
In higher measure, and full purity.
Nor should he have continued alone,
(Such members as we have now he had none
To propogate) he magically, as
The Sun's bright beames the waters surface passe
Doth, without pain, so should he have brought forth
In Paradise. By a Cœlestial birth,
He should in God's bless'd Image more have got,
Æternal all, none subject to Fate's Lot.
He should both Father be, and Mother then,
For Male, and Female God created Man:
Both Man, and Woman, Wise, and Virgin he
Together was, in State of purity.
God saw that he, in this new lapsed state;
Had lost the power now to propogate;
Deterred by that vail of flesh: so would
He have continu'd still; nor ever could
From 's loines an issue spring. God just and true,
T'whom future things are present, all fore-knew,
Therefore that VENUS, or that power he had
In him, before to propagate, he clad
In flesh like him; and of his life, and being
Framed his EVE: both in all things agreeing.
Man once was whole-man, but now broke alass!
Is but the half of what at first he was:
Such members then, as we have now they gat,
Fit, (as the Beast does) for to propogate.
ADAM awakes, and views his new made EVE,
He knows she's part of's self; doth to her cleave,
And upon her his sole desire doth cast,
With her he joys, in her he takes repast.
Had lost the power now to propogate;
63
He have continu'd still; nor ever could
From 's loines an issue spring. God just and true,
T'whom future things are present, all fore-knew,
Therefore that VENUS, or that power he had
In him, before to propagate, he clad
In flesh like him; and of his life, and being
Framed his EVE: both in all things agreeing.
Man once was whole-man, but now broke alass!
Is but the half of what at first he was:
Such members then, as we have now they gat,
Fit, (as the Beast does) for to propogate.
ADAM awakes, and views his new made EVE,
He knows she's part of's self; doth to her cleave,
And upon her his sole desire doth cast,
With her he joys, in her he takes repast.
In Paradise as yet they were, for sin
Actually had yet not enter'd in,
Nor was the vanity awak'd, as yet,
God's blessed Image in their souls was set,
Though much obscur'd: In great felicity
And Joy they liv'd, not knowing vanity,
Nor Good, nor Evil; Could they so have stood
They had been blessed, for their state was good.
Their pronity unto a farther Fall
God saw, therefore he thus to them doth Call.
Actually had yet not enter'd in,
Nor was the vanity awak'd, as yet,
God's blessed Image in their souls was set,
Though much obscur'd: In great felicity
And Joy they liv'd, not knowing vanity,
Nor Good, nor Evil; Could they so have stood
They had been blessed, for their state was good.
Their pronity unto a farther Fall
God saw, therefore he thus to them doth Call.
Great Protoplast! and Prince of Paradise!
Take heed thou losest not these happy Joys
Once more I thee forewarn: already thy
Imagination in Earth's property
Did work: thou seest what thou thereby hast lost,
Thy Earthly Body did a better cost,
Of one, thou now art twain; th' Habiliments
A Body made up of the Elements,
Which yet no jar doth know; nor cold, nor heat
Thy expos'd flesh the temperate ayr doth threat.
My Heav'nly power yet doth penetrate,
And cloath thy Body in this naked state,
Nor know'st thou good, or ill: In Harmony
Thou art; nor is awak'd Hel's property
As yet: therefore if thou wouldst stand for aye,
Obey what I command; mark what I say.
Take heed thou losest not these happy Joys
Once more I thee forewarn: already thy
Imagination in Earth's property
Did work: thou seest what thou thereby hast lost,
Thy Earthly Body did a better cost,
Of one, thou now art twain; th' Habiliments
A Body made up of the Elements,
Which yet no jar doth know; nor cold, nor heat
Thy expos'd flesh the temperate ayr doth threat.
My Heav'nly power yet doth penetrate,
And cloath thy Body in this naked state,
Nor know'st thou good, or ill: In Harmony
Thou art; nor is awak'd Hel's property
64
Obey what I command; mark what I say.
Seest thou the happy pleasures of this place?
What verdant Groves, and flowring Trees do grace
This blessed Soul? how many Trees do sute
Thy dainty pallat, with their happy fruit?
How many thousands here, in order set
Fit for thy food do court thy lips to eat?
Here, here is choyce, nor will their sweetnesse cloy
Thy stomach, nor their acritude annoy
Thy tast; their substance is Ambrosia, and
Their Liquor Nectar: Zephirs to thy hand
Do blow the laden bows; spare not to eat
Thou can'st not surfet with this pleasing Meat.
Nor needest thou to lay up store, nor fear
To want; Continually these Trees do bear;
The Fruit renews as fast as thou canst pull;
All here is good, yet thou thy choyce may'st cull.
See but what store there is, enough for thee,
And thousands more. Amongst these Trees, one Tree,
And but one Tree will I debar thee from,
Near that I charge thee, that you never come;
See where it stands surrounded with the rest,
Plac'd in the Garden's Centre: See 'tis drest
Not like the other Trees, from th' other thou
May'st eas'ly know it, by each leaf and bow.
Nor think that I would bar thee from this Tree,
Did not I know it would prove Death to thee,
Shouldst thou but eat thereon. Thou'rt ignorant
Oft's nature, and what liquor virulent
Its fruit contains. Therefore I say beware,
Shun thou the thought of it, and do not dare
To tast of it: Let not the Devil entice
Thee unto it, for if thou dost thou dy'st;
Thou Paradise shalt loose, and thou shalt see
The World endu'd with fatal misery:
The curse shall spring th'row out the Earth, and thou
In pleasure shalt no longer live, as now;
But shalt with pain, and labour, cold, and heat,
Sorrow, and care, and trouble get thy meat.
Look to thy self, let not the Devil thee
Provoke, to eat on this forbidden Tree
For if thou dost, thou wilt it soon repent,
For breaking this my just Commandement.
What verdant Groves, and flowring Trees do grace
This blessed Soul? how many Trees do sute
Thy dainty pallat, with their happy fruit?
How many thousands here, in order set
Fit for thy food do court thy lips to eat?
Here, here is choyce, nor will their sweetnesse cloy
Thy stomach, nor their acritude annoy
Thy tast; their substance is Ambrosia, and
Their Liquor Nectar: Zephirs to thy hand
Do blow the laden bows; spare not to eat
Thou can'st not surfet with this pleasing Meat.
Nor needest thou to lay up store, nor fear
To want; Continually these Trees do bear;
The Fruit renews as fast as thou canst pull;
All here is good, yet thou thy choyce may'st cull.
See but what store there is, enough for thee,
And thousands more. Amongst these Trees, one Tree,
And but one Tree will I debar thee from,
Near that I charge thee, that you never come;
See where it stands surrounded with the rest,
Plac'd in the Garden's Centre: See 'tis drest
Not like the other Trees, from th' other thou
May'st eas'ly know it, by each leaf and bow.
Nor think that I would bar thee from this Tree,
Did not I know it would prove Death to thee,
Shouldst thou but eat thereon. Thou'rt ignorant
Oft's nature, and what liquor virulent
Its fruit contains. Therefore I say beware,
Shun thou the thought of it, and do not dare
65
Thee unto it, for if thou dost thou dy'st;
Thou Paradise shalt loose, and thou shalt see
The World endu'd with fatal misery:
The curse shall spring th'row out the Earth, and thou
In pleasure shalt no longer live, as now;
But shalt with pain, and labour, cold, and heat,
Sorrow, and care, and trouble get thy meat.
Look to thy self, let not the Devil thee
Provoke, to eat on this forbidden Tree
For if thou dost, thou wilt it soon repent,
For breaking this my just Commandement.
The Devil like a Gamester, who hath lain
All that he hath at stake, and is undone
If that he lose: or like some General
Encamp'd before some rich, strong City Wall,
In whose subversion he's assur'd to gain
A masse of Treasure, and eternal Fame,
Doth play his part, and useth all his skill
To win the Game, and conquer Adam's Will,
He fears if Eve the new-made World encrease
Should with some pretty Babe in Paradise
E'r that the Wrath awak'ned was, he should
Miscarry in his great design, nor could
He then so easily have drawn from good,
Their brighter souls, when they so long had stood.
A Captain who some Castle thinks to take
By stratagem, an hunder'd plots doth make
In's brain, resolves on this, and then on that,
Then liketh this, then likes another plot:
Anon he spies some danger, or defect
In that; his thoughts some other thing Erect,
And then to work he sets his busie brain,
Until his thoughts have perfected the train:
Which well disgested, unto work he goes,
Undauntedly resolves to win or lose;
So subtle Sathan after many wiles,
Thus our first Parents cunningly beguiles.
All that he hath at stake, and is undone
If that he lose: or like some General
Encamp'd before some rich, strong City Wall,
In whose subversion he's assur'd to gain
A masse of Treasure, and eternal Fame,
Doth play his part, and useth all his skill
To win the Game, and conquer Adam's Will,
He fears if Eve the new-made World encrease
Should with some pretty Babe in Paradise
E'r that the Wrath awak'ned was, he should
Miscarry in his great design, nor could
He then so easily have drawn from good,
Their brighter souls, when they so long had stood.
A Captain who some Castle thinks to take
By stratagem, an hunder'd plots doth make
In's brain, resolves on this, and then on that,
Then liketh this, then likes another plot:
Anon he spies some danger, or defect
In that; his thoughts some other thing Erect,
And then to work he sets his busie brain,
Until his thoughts have perfected the train:
Which well disgested, unto work he goes,
Undauntedly resolves to win or lose;
So subtle Sathan after many wiles,
Thus our first Parents cunningly beguiles.
Amongst the other Beasts that did resort
As humble servants unto ADAM'S Court,
There was a Serpent whose fine speckled hide,
And pretty features with rare colours dy'd,
Had gain'd EVE'S Love, and who it may be had
Entwin'd about her naked neck, and play'd
With her white hands; or favour'd in her lap:
This Sathan thought was best her to intrap.
Into this Beast he goes, and still doth lie
About the Tree forbid: Eve's longing eye
Full oft salutes that fatal Tree; desire
She doth to tast the fruit, approaching nigher
The subtle Serpent frisking on the Tree
She 'spies: The shaddow cannot hurt, thinks she.
Nearer she goes; thinking on God's Command
She feares for to proceed, then makes a stand,
But still the more she thought she was forbid,
The more she longs, the more desire she did.
(The same we still retain, for even thus
We most desire what is forbid to us)
She steps a little forward; then retires
Then moves again: tempted by her desires
She doth the Tree approach. God's stricter Law
Affright's her; she's about for to withdraw:
Sathan se'ing her the place about to leave,
Thus through the Serpent tempts our Grandame Eve.
As humble servants unto ADAM'S Court,
66
And pretty features with rare colours dy'd,
Had gain'd EVE'S Love, and who it may be had
Entwin'd about her naked neck, and play'd
With her white hands; or favour'd in her lap:
This Sathan thought was best her to intrap.
Into this Beast he goes, and still doth lie
About the Tree forbid: Eve's longing eye
Full oft salutes that fatal Tree; desire
She doth to tast the fruit, approaching nigher
The subtle Serpent frisking on the Tree
She 'spies: The shaddow cannot hurt, thinks she.
Nearer she goes; thinking on God's Command
She feares for to proceed, then makes a stand,
But still the more she thought she was forbid,
The more she longs, the more desire she did.
(The same we still retain, for even thus
We most desire what is forbid to us)
She steps a little forward; then retires
Then moves again: tempted by her desires
She doth the Tree approach. God's stricter Law
Affright's her; she's about for to withdraw:
Sathan se'ing her the place about to leave,
Thus through the Serpent tempts our Grandame Eve.
Great Mistresse of this World, our gracious Queen,
Commandresse of this mighty Orb terrene,
Why so unwilling to approach this Tree,
Which I the best judge in this Grove to be?
Me thinks you seem'd to dread the shade thereof
When you unwilling to approach, aloof
Stood looking on't: As yet you seem to fear
The very shade; as if some hurt dwelt here.
Tell, what is in't that can displease you thus?
Eve answers then: The Lord commanded us
To please our tastes, with the variety
Of all those fruits which in this Garden be,
Only this Tree alone he bard us from
And charg'd us never near its shade should come.
For Death is harbour'd in this Tree, our last
And fatal day is come should we but taste
This tempting fruit: Great pity 'tis so fair
And lovely Apples should such poyson bear.
The subtle Serpent that he might beguile
The better, answer'd with a forced smile.
Commandresse of this mighty Orb terrene,
Why so unwilling to approach this Tree,
Which I the best judge in this Grove to be?
Me thinks you seem'd to dread the shade thereof
When you unwilling to approach, aloof
Stood looking on't: As yet you seem to fear
The very shade; as if some hurt dwelt here.
Tell, what is in't that can displease you thus?
Eve answers then: The Lord commanded us
To please our tastes, with the variety
Of all those fruits which in this Garden be,
Only this Tree alone he bard us from
And charg'd us never near its shade should come.
For Death is harbour'd in this Tree, our last
And fatal day is come should we but taste
67
And lovely Apples should such poyson bear.
The subtle Serpent that he might beguile
The better, answer'd with a forced smile.
Pleasures are hardly left, when that our sence
Confirm'd by reason, and experience,
Find them both good, and just: I am too wise,
This Tree in truth hath opened mine eyes,
For to beguiled be; Think you to 'fright
Me, with your Bug-bears from my chief delight?
No, you would drive me from my happinesse
That you this fair Tree might alone possesse.
Say what you will, this Tree nor fruit I fear,
I by experience know no hurt dwells here;
And you know that; Nor I say'd Eve, nor do
I now dissemble, I the truth to you
Declared have; God charg'd us not come nigh,
Nor tast this Tree; did we, we sure should dye.
The subtle Serpent thus reanswereth:
And speak you Truth? what this Tree bring you Death?
God charg'd you thus? And told you you should dye
Did you but tast thereof? I now know why
He made you this believe: Lend me your ear,
I'le banish soon from you this vainer fear,
And let you know that in this Grove there's none
So beautiful, and Good, as is this one.
All what I have, this subtlety, this wit
I must acknowledge that I owe to it,
Which by frequenting of this better Tree,
Hath been I know not how inspir'd in me.
You see more wit, and subtilty I have
Then all the Beasts beside; This Tree this gave;
Which doth encrease, and whilst I here remain
More wit, and knowledge every day I gain.
Reflect a little; let your eyes but trace
Each Tree that grows in this Celestial place,
Consider all their beauties: look ag'in
And see if any like to this is seen.
Though all are full of Beauty, verdant, fair,
May yet there any with this Tree compare?
This Tree is Mistresse of the rest, and Queen
Of this same Grove, none hath such verdant green;
See how she in the midst is plac'd, each tree
Encompasse her, and as her servants be,
Bow their proud tops unto her lofty spire;
See how she mounteth than the rest far higher,
And threatneth with her waveing tops (well neer
Unto the clouds) the rest who shrink for fear
Their humble heads. See what a length extends
Her interwoven Armes, which still befriend
The under-growing grasse with pleasing shades:
Look what soft mosse her mighty bole invades,
Like to a mantle of green plush, these be
Like Ornaments unto her Majesty,
As Queen of all the rest. Consider, and
Think if that he who this severe Command
Gave unto you, so would his works disgrace
By placing poyson in the happiest place:
All things he made are Good; where are your Eyes?
Think you that ill can be in Paradise?
Can this choyce Tree so great an ill contain?
Pish! don't believ't, for all such thoughts are vain.
No, no, I'le tell you why he did forbid
You to come neer this Tree; such virtue's hid
Within its golden Fruit, should you but tast,
You'd be for ever happy, ever blest;
No longer then in stupid Ignorance
Should you enchained be; then happy glance
From brighter Light, would in your Souls arise:
See then would your blind Soul; and dimmer eyes
Made bright, discern betwixt all good, and ill,
Transcendant knowledge then your brains would fill,
You should be wise, and like the Gods; this knew
They well, should happen (if you eat) to you:
Therefore they did prohibit you this Tree,
Lest you by eating like themselves should be.
Thus should you dye, fear not such scare-crows now;
See how the glit'ring Fruit doth lade each bow:
Look how they'r painted with Vermilion dye
Like golden starres set in a verdant Skye,
Or like the blushing Roses, which are seen
New peeping forth thorow a verdant Screen.
Look how the Apples blush, see how they stand,
See how the boughs, bow down to kiss thine hand;
All 's at thy choyce: which on this fair-spread Tree.
(Come tell me Eve!) most liked is by thee?
See here's a fine one, this? or this best likes
Thee? do but look what many pretty strikes
Of red, and yellow paint; here's one that skipps
Unto thy mouth: here thine own Cherry lips
Are answered; thy softer skin thou mayst
Here find; but there's a mellow one whose tast
So sweet—delicious that 'twil ravish quite
Thy looser sences with extream delight;
Thou hast such choyce thou know'st not which to choose:
Come take this on my word, try what accrews
By this: here take it, prethee eat, and try
If thou a Goddesse art not by, and by.
Confirm'd by reason, and experience,
Find them both good, and just: I am too wise,
This Tree in truth hath opened mine eyes,
For to beguiled be; Think you to 'fright
Me, with your Bug-bears from my chief delight?
No, you would drive me from my happinesse
That you this fair Tree might alone possesse.
Say what you will, this Tree nor fruit I fear,
I by experience know no hurt dwells here;
And you know that; Nor I say'd Eve, nor do
I now dissemble, I the truth to you
Declared have; God charg'd us not come nigh,
Nor tast this Tree; did we, we sure should dye.
The subtle Serpent thus reanswereth:
And speak you Truth? what this Tree bring you Death?
God charg'd you thus? And told you you should dye
Did you but tast thereof? I now know why
He made you this believe: Lend me your ear,
I'le banish soon from you this vainer fear,
And let you know that in this Grove there's none
So beautiful, and Good, as is this one.
All what I have, this subtlety, this wit
I must acknowledge that I owe to it,
Which by frequenting of this better Tree,
Hath been I know not how inspir'd in me.
You see more wit, and subtilty I have
Then all the Beasts beside; This Tree this gave;
Which doth encrease, and whilst I here remain
More wit, and knowledge every day I gain.
Reflect a little; let your eyes but trace
Each Tree that grows in this Celestial place,
68
And see if any like to this is seen.
Though all are full of Beauty, verdant, fair,
May yet there any with this Tree compare?
This Tree is Mistresse of the rest, and Queen
Of this same Grove, none hath such verdant green;
See how she in the midst is plac'd, each tree
Encompasse her, and as her servants be,
Bow their proud tops unto her lofty spire;
See how she mounteth than the rest far higher,
And threatneth with her waveing tops (well neer
Unto the clouds) the rest who shrink for fear
Their humble heads. See what a length extends
Her interwoven Armes, which still befriend
The under-growing grasse with pleasing shades:
Look what soft mosse her mighty bole invades,
Like to a mantle of green plush, these be
Like Ornaments unto her Majesty,
As Queen of all the rest. Consider, and
Think if that he who this severe Command
Gave unto you, so would his works disgrace
By placing poyson in the happiest place:
All things he made are Good; where are your Eyes?
Think you that ill can be in Paradise?
Can this choyce Tree so great an ill contain?
Pish! don't believ't, for all such thoughts are vain.
No, no, I'le tell you why he did forbid
You to come neer this Tree; such virtue's hid
Within its golden Fruit, should you but tast,
You'd be for ever happy, ever blest;
No longer then in stupid Ignorance
Should you enchained be; then happy glance
From brighter Light, would in your Souls arise:
See then would your blind Soul; and dimmer eyes
Made bright, discern betwixt all good, and ill,
Transcendant knowledge then your brains would fill,
You should be wise, and like the Gods; this knew
They well, should happen (if you eat) to you:
Therefore they did prohibit you this Tree,
Lest you by eating like themselves should be.
69
See how the glit'ring Fruit doth lade each bow:
Look how they'r painted with Vermilion dye
Like golden starres set in a verdant Skye,
Or like the blushing Roses, which are seen
New peeping forth thorow a verdant Screen.
Look how the Apples blush, see how they stand,
See how the boughs, bow down to kiss thine hand;
All 's at thy choyce: which on this fair-spread Tree.
(Come tell me Eve!) most liked is by thee?
See here's a fine one, this? or this best likes
Thee? do but look what many pretty strikes
Of red, and yellow paint; here's one that skipps
Unto thy mouth: here thine own Cherry lips
Are answered; thy softer skin thou mayst
Here find; but there's a mellow one whose tast
So sweet—delicious that 'twil ravish quite
Thy looser sences with extream delight;
Thou hast such choyce thou know'st not which to choose:
Come take this on my word, try what accrews
By this: here take it, prethee eat, and try
If thou a Goddesse art not by, and by.
Tempted by these fine words, and that fair Fruit,
Fear holds her Hands, desire prompts her to't,
At last she takes the sugar'd bait, doth eat,
Findes it for th' present very pleasing meat,
Now on its pleasing hue her looks she cast,
Then with her tongue the sweeter Liquor tast
She doth: mean time her husband passing by
The place she thus attempts. Look here what I
Have got (said she) so fair an Apple, yet
Thou never saw'st: 'tis passing pleasing meat,
Melts in my mouth; I wonder'd much that we
So strictly were forbid this pleasing Tree:
As mortals here we shall not make abode,
I shall a Goddesse be, and thou a God;
We shall be wise as they: here eat thou this
I first have prov'd: me thinks it pleasing is.
Adam invited thus receives the fruit,
And without long delay falls rashly to't.
Fear holds her Hands, desire prompts her to't,
At last she takes the sugar'd bait, doth eat,
Findes it for th' present very pleasing meat,
Now on its pleasing hue her looks she cast,
Then with her tongue the sweeter Liquor tast
She doth: mean time her husband passing by
The place she thus attempts. Look here what I
Have got (said she) so fair an Apple, yet
Thou never saw'st: 'tis passing pleasing meat,
Melts in my mouth; I wonder'd much that we
So strictly were forbid this pleasing Tree:
As mortals here we shall not make abode,
I shall a Goddesse be, and thou a God;
We shall be wise as they: here eat thou this
I first have prov'd: me thinks it pleasing is.
70
And without long delay falls rashly to't.
He that hath drunk the juice of Aconite,
Or the lethiferous Henbane, strait his sp'right
O're fir'd, or too much cool'd, a punction feels,
With grievous smarting rage, his body reels,
His eyes grow dim, his sences stupid; stand
The blood doth in his Face, nor Feet, nor Hand
Can he scarce wagg; the World turns round: his Head
Grows dizzy, by and by his spirits fled
From his swell'd Carcase, dead they leave him: so
These guilty couple 'gan to feel their wo;
Strait operates the Fruit, a shivering cold
Upon their naked Carcasses takes hold,
A sudden tremour shakes their Limbs; their Eyes
Close on a sudden, and dark mists arise,
Mix't with thick vapours 'fore their sight; they found
Themselves amaz'd: Cast in a kind of stound
The light they had they loose. Some drunken sot
Or'e charg'd with Wine or Bear, till h'has forgot
To use his reason, a strong drowsinesse
His fume-farc'd Brain, and weakned eyes possesse;
Whilst that he's drench'd in Lith, and sleepeth fast
His fellows for a punishment do cast:
Agreed; they thence him to a Wood do bear,
Pull off his cloaths, and naked leave him there
Fast sleeping on the grasse: When sleep, the Fume
That did molest his drunken Brain o're come
Had; he awakes, and his unclosing eyes
Rubbs with his hand; he is about to rise
When that he feels himself a cold; he sees
Before his eyes the Skies, and wavering Trees;
Finds that he has no cloaths; gets on his feet
And ev'r' object with 'amaz'd eyes doth greet;
Amaz'd he stands, wonders how he came there,
Looks still about, views round, and every where,
For to resolve him none he spies; doth go
Doubts wh'r he dreams, or is awak'd or no:
Now on the ground, now to the skies are hurld
His eyes; Like one dropt from another World
He stands, and knows not what to say, or do:
Just so do stand, and act these guilty two.
They are amaz'd, they scarcely know the place,
All things do seem now with another Face:
Gods Image shrinks into a cloud, the light
Of that bright Sun obscur'd is from their sight,
But by and by the Wrath's awakened,
And now they see their eyes are opened:
They know they'r naked, see their beastial Form,
They are asham'd of it, they know the harm
They'ave done unto themselves: both Good, and Ill
Indeed they know, that Shun, but this thy will.
Or the lethiferous Henbane, strait his sp'right
O're fir'd, or too much cool'd, a punction feels,
With grievous smarting rage, his body reels,
His eyes grow dim, his sences stupid; stand
The blood doth in his Face, nor Feet, nor Hand
Can he scarce wagg; the World turns round: his Head
Grows dizzy, by and by his spirits fled
From his swell'd Carcase, dead they leave him: so
These guilty couple 'gan to feel their wo;
Strait operates the Fruit, a shivering cold
Upon their naked Carcasses takes hold,
A sudden tremour shakes their Limbs; their Eyes
Close on a sudden, and dark mists arise,
Mix't with thick vapours 'fore their sight; they found
Themselves amaz'd: Cast in a kind of stound
The light they had they loose. Some drunken sot
Or'e charg'd with Wine or Bear, till h'has forgot
To use his reason, a strong drowsinesse
His fume-farc'd Brain, and weakned eyes possesse;
Whilst that he's drench'd in Lith, and sleepeth fast
His fellows for a punishment do cast:
Agreed; they thence him to a Wood do bear,
Pull off his cloaths, and naked leave him there
Fast sleeping on the grasse: When sleep, the Fume
That did molest his drunken Brain o're come
Had; he awakes, and his unclosing eyes
Rubbs with his hand; he is about to rise
When that he feels himself a cold; he sees
Before his eyes the Skies, and wavering Trees;
Finds that he has no cloaths; gets on his feet
And ev'r' object with 'amaz'd eyes doth greet;
Amaz'd he stands, wonders how he came there,
Looks still about, views round, and every where,
For to resolve him none he spies; doth go
Doubts wh'r he dreams, or is awak'd or no:
Now on the ground, now to the skies are hurld
His eyes; Like one dropt from another World
71
Just so do stand, and act these guilty two.
They are amaz'd, they scarcely know the place,
All things do seem now with another Face:
Gods Image shrinks into a cloud, the light
Of that bright Sun obscur'd is from their sight,
But by and by the Wrath's awakened,
And now they see their eyes are opened:
They know they'r naked, see their beastial Form,
They are asham'd of it, they know the harm
They'ave done unto themselves: both Good, and Ill
Indeed they know, that Shun, but this thy will.
Sathan rejoyces at his victory,
His poyson doth diffuse immediately
Thorow their Bodyes: now they'ave fading breath,
Bodies to sicknesse subject, and to Death:
Now they Sol's heat do feel, now Hyems cold,
Which to keep off themselves in leaves they'n fould.
Now have the starres a power over them:
A death they pick may now from ev'ry stemm:
The Beasts no longer them obey, if nigh
They come, they dread them, and away they flye.
Fowles use their wings to shun them: Sorrow, Feare,
Anguish, and Trouble, Heavinesse, and Care,
Anxiety, Tears, Sighs, and Passions they
Are subject to: Their Bodies made of clay
To all distempers now. This they brought forth
By feeding on the Principle of Wrath.
His poyson doth diffuse immediately
Thorow their Bodyes: now they'ave fading breath,
Bodies to sicknesse subject, and to Death:
Now they Sol's heat do feel, now Hyems cold,
Which to keep off themselves in leaves they'n fould.
Now have the starres a power over them:
A death they pick may now from ev'ry stemm:
The Beasts no longer them obey, if nigh
They come, they dread them, and away they flye.
Fowles use their wings to shun them: Sorrow, Feare,
Anguish, and Trouble, Heavinesse, and Care,
Anxiety, Tears, Sighs, and Passions they
Are subject to: Their Bodies made of clay
To all distempers now. This they brought forth
By feeding on the Principle of Wrath.
God doth no longer unto them appear
Now as a Father, but a Judge severe:
They tremble at his Voyce: behind the Trees
They think themselves from his all-piercing Eyes
To hide. He sees them, and amidst their feares
He thundereth these words into their eares.
You guilty Souls where are you? have you thus
Transgrest? See now how you are like to us!
Ah foolish Adam that wert thus befool'd
When I before to thee the danger told!
Art thou a God? or thou a goddesse Eve?
See how the Serpent did you both deceive!
Now ye are like the Beasts: This banefull fruit
From which I charg'd you so, hath brought you to't.
Thou Eve, with Grief, Pain, Sorrow, Trouble, Care,
And great discomfort, shalt thy children bear;
Subject to Adam: and thou Adam get
Thy food shalt with hard labour, toyl, and sweat.
Curs'd is the Earth for this thy folly. Stay
Here thou no longer must: Hence, pack away,
Thou'st lost the pleasures of bless'd Paradise,
They are obscured from thy blinded eyes:
Nor may'st thou e're return: A flaming Sword
Plac'd in a Cherubs hand the door doth guard.
Thou hast endued now mortality;
Go and enjoy this World in misery.
Thus spake God's Justice; then his Mercy brake
A deeper silence and him thus bespake.
Now as a Father, but a Judge severe:
They tremble at his Voyce: behind the Trees
They think themselves from his all-piercing Eyes
To hide. He sees them, and amidst their feares
He thundereth these words into their eares.
You guilty Souls where are you? have you thus
Transgrest? See now how you are like to us!
Ah foolish Adam that wert thus befool'd
When I before to thee the danger told!
Art thou a God? or thou a goddesse Eve?
See how the Serpent did you both deceive!
72
From which I charg'd you so, hath brought you to't.
Thou Eve, with Grief, Pain, Sorrow, Trouble, Care,
And great discomfort, shalt thy children bear;
Subject to Adam: and thou Adam get
Thy food shalt with hard labour, toyl, and sweat.
Curs'd is the Earth for this thy folly. Stay
Here thou no longer must: Hence, pack away,
Thou'st lost the pleasures of bless'd Paradise,
They are obscured from thy blinded eyes:
Nor may'st thou e're return: A flaming Sword
Plac'd in a Cherubs hand the door doth guard.
Thou hast endued now mortality;
Go and enjoy this World in misery.
Thus spake God's Justice; then his Mercy brake
A deeper silence and him thus bespake.
| Mundorum Explicatio | |