On the new Forcers of Conscience under the Long Parliament 342

SONNETS:

I. To the Nightingale........

II.

III.

"Donna leggiadra il cui bel nome honora.".

"Qual in colle aspro, al imbrunir di sera.".

Canzone....

IV. "Diodati, e te'l dirò con maraviglia."..

V. "Per certo i bei vostr' occhi, Donna mia.".

"Giovane piano, e simplicetto amante.".

VI.

VII. On his being arrived at the age of twenty-three

VIII. When the Assault was intended to the City.....

IX. To a virtuous young Lady.......

350

X. To the Lady Margaret Ley..........

XI. On the Detraction which followed upon my writing

certain Treatises.

351

XII. On the same...

352

XIII. To Mr. H. Lawes on the publishing his Airs.......... 352

XIV. On the Religious Memory of Mrs. Catharine Thomson. 353

XV. To the Lord General Fairfax...

354

..

PARADISE LOST.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK ΧΙ.

THE ARGUMENT.

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

Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood
Praying, for from the mercy-seat above
Prevenient grace descending had remov'd
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh
Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd 5
Unutterable, which the spirit of prayer

Inspir'd, and wing'd for heaven with speedier flight
Than loudest oratory: yet their port
Not of mean suitors, nor important less

Seem'd their petition, than when th' ancient pair 10
In fables old, less ancient yet than these,

Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore

The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine

Of Themis stood devout. To heaven their prayers

Flew up, nor miss'd the way, by envious winds
Blown vagabond or frustrate: in they pass'd
Dimensionless through heavenly doors; then clad
With incense, where the golden altar fum'd,
By their great Intercessor, came in sight

15

Before the Father's throne: them the glad Son 20 Presenting thus to intercede began.

See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in man, these sighs And prayers, which, in this golden censer mix'd With incense, I thy priest before thee bring; Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed Sown with contrition in his heart, than those Which his own hand manuring all the trees Of paradise could have produc'd, ere fallen From innocence. Now therefore bend thine ear To supplication, hear his sighs though mute; Unskilful with what words to pray, let me

25

30

Interpret for him, me his advocate
And propitiation; all his works on me
Good or not good ingraft; my merit those
Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay.
Accept me, and in me from these receive
The smell of peace toward mankind; let him live
Before thee reconcil'd, at least his days

35