And thou, Moon, in the vale of Aialon, Till Israel overcome!' so call the third
From Abraham, son of Isaac; and from him His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win." Here Adam interpos'd. "O sent from Heaven, Enlightener of my darkness, gracious things Thou hast reveal'd; those chiefly, which con-
Just Abraham and his seed: now first I find Mine eyes true-opening, and my heart much eas'd; [become Erewhile perplex'd with thoughts, what would Of me and all mankind: but now I see His day, in whom all nations shall be blest; Favour unmerited by me, who sought Forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. This yet I apprehend not, why to those Among whom God will deign to dwell on Earth So many and so various laws are given; So many laws argue so many sins Among them; how can God with such reside?"
To whom thus Michael. "Doubt not but that Will reign among them, as of thee begot; And therefore was law given them, to evince Their natural pravity, by stirring up Sin against law to fight that when they see Law can discover sin, but not remove, Save by those shadowy expiations weak,
The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude Some blood more precious must be paid for
Just for unjust; that in such righteousness To them by faith imputed, they may find Justification towards God, and peace Of conscience; which the law by ceremonies Cannot appease: nor man the moral part Perform; and, not performing, cannot live. So law appears imperfect; and but given. With purpose to resign them, in full time, Up to a better covenant; disciplin'd [rit; From shadowy types to truth; from flesh to spi- From imposition of strict laws to free Acceptance of large grace; from servile fear To filial; works of law to works of faith. And therefore shall not Moses, though of God Highly belov'd, being but the minister Of law, his people into Canaan lead;
But Joshua, whom the Gentiles Jesus call, His name and office bearing, who shall quell The adversary-serpent, and bring back Through the world's wilderness long-wander'd
Safe to eternal Paradise of rest.
[man Mean while they, in their earthly Canaan plac'd, Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins National interrupt their public peace, Provoking God to raise them enemies; From whom as oft he saves them penitent By judges first, then under kings; of whom The second, both for piety renown'd
And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive Irrevocable, that his regal throne For ever shall endure; the like shall sing All prophecy, that of the royal stock Of David (so I name this king) shall rise A son, the woman's seed to thee foretold, Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust All nations; and to kings foretold, of kings The last; for of his reign shall be no end. But first, a long succession must ensue;
And his next son, for wealth and wisdom fam'd, The clouded ark of God, till then in tents Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. Such follow him, as shall be register'd Part good, part bad; of bad the longer scroll; Whose foul idolatries, and other faults Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense God, as to leave them, and expose their land, Their city, his temple, and his holy ark, With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw'st Left in confusion; Babylon thence call'd. There in captivity he lets them dwell [back, The space of seventy years; then brings them Remembering mercy, and his covenant sworn To David, stablish'd as the days of Heaven. Return'd from Babylon by leave of kings [God Their lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of They first re-edify; and for a while
In mean estate live moderate; till grown In wealth and multitude, factious they grow: But first among the priests dissention springs, Men who attend the altar, and should most Endeavour peace: their strife pollution brings Upon the temple itself: at last they seize The sceptre, and regard not David's sons; Then lose it to a stranger, that the true Anointed king Messiah might be born Barr'd of his right; yet at his birth a star, Unseen before in Heaven, proclaims him come, And guides the eastern sages, who inquire His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold: His place of birth a solemn angel tells To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night; They gladly thither haste, and by a quire Of squadron'd angels hear his carol sung. A virgin is his mother, but his sire The power of the Most High: he shall ascend The throne hereditary, and bound his reign With Earth's wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens,"
He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joy Surcharg'd, as had like grief been dew'd in tears, Without the vent of words; which these he breath'd.
"O prophet of glad tidings, finisher Of utmost hope! now clear I understand [vain; What oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in Why our great Expectation should be call'd The seed of woman: virgin mother, hail, High in the love of Heaven; yet from my loins Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the
To whom thus Michael. "Dream not of their As of a duel, or the local wounds [fight, Of head or heel: not therefore joins the Son Manhooo to godhead, with more strength to Thy enemy; nor so is overcome [foil Satan, whose fall from Heaven, a deadlier bruise,
Disabled, not to give thee thy death's wound; Which he, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure, Not by destroying Satan, but his works In thee, and in thy seed: nor can this be
But by fulfilling that which thou didst want, Obedience to the law of God, impos'd On penalty of death, and suffering death; The penalty to thy transgression due, And due to theirs which out of thine will grow : So only can high Justice rest appaid. The law of God exact he shall fulfil Both by obedience and by love, though love Alone fulfil the law; thy punishment He shall endure, by coming in the flesh To a reproachful life, and cursed death; Proclaiming life to all who shall believe In his redemption; and that his obedience, Imputed, becomes theirs by faith; his merits To save them, not their own, though legal,
For this he shall live hated, be blasphem'd,
When this world's dissolution shall be ripe, With glory and power to judge both quick and
To judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward His faithful, and receive them into bliss, Whether in Heaven or Earth; for then the Earth Shall all be Paradise, far happier place Than this of Eden, and far happier days."
So spake the arch-angel Michaël; then paus'd, As at the world's great period; and our sire, Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied.
"O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense! That all this good of evil shall produce, And evil turn to good; more wonderful Than that which by creation first brought for th Light out of darkness! Full of doubt I stand, Whether I should repent me now of sin
Seiz'd on by force, judg'd, and to death con- By me done, and occasion'd; or rejoice [spring,
On every conscience; laws which none shall find | Let us descend now therefore from this top
A shameful and accurs'd, nail'd to the cross By his own nation; slain for bringing life: But to the cross he nails thy enemies, The law that is against thee, and the sins Of all mankind with him there crucified, Never to hurt them more who rightly trust In this his satisfaction: so he dies,
But soon revives; Death over him no power Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light Return, the stars of morn shall see him rise Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light, Thy ransom paid, which man from death re-
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Or theirs whom he redeems; a death, like sleep, A gentle wafting to immortal life. Nor after resurrection shall he stay
Longer on Earth, than certain times to appear To his disciples, men who in his life Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge To teach all nations what of him they learn'd And his salvation; them who shall believe Baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign Of washing them from guilt of sin to life Pure, and in mind prepar'd, if so befall, For death, like that which the Redeemer died. All nations they shall teach; for, from that day, Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins
Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons
Of Abraham's faith wherever through the So in his seed all nations shall be blest. [world; Then to the Heaven of Heavens he shall ascend With victory triumphing through the air
Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise The serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains Through all his realm, and there confounded Then enter into glory, and resume [leave; His seat at God's right hand, exalted high Above all names in Heavens and thence shall
Much more, that much more good thereof shall To God more glory, more good-will to men From God, and over wrath grace shall abound. But say, if our Deliverer up to Heaven Must re-ascend, what will betide the few His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd, The enemies of truth? Who then shall guide His people, who defend? Will they not deal Worse with his followers than with him they
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He to his own a Comforter will send, The promise of the Father, who shall dwell His Spirit within them; and the law of faith, Working through love, upon their hearts shall To guide them in all truth; and also arm [write, With spiritual armour, able to resist Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts; What man can do against them, not afraid, Though to the death; against such cruelties With inward consolations recompens'd, And oft supported so as shall amaze Their proudest persecutors; for the Spirit, Pour'd first on his Apostles, whom he sends To evangelize the nations, then on all Baptiz'd, shall them with wonderous gifts endue To speak all tongues, and do all iniracles, As did their Lord before them. Thus they win' Great numbers of each nation to receive
With joy the tidings brought from Heaven: at
'Their ministry perform'd, and race well run, Their doctrine and their story written left, They die; but in their room, as they forewarn, Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves,
who all the sacred mysteries of Heaven To their own vile advantages shall turn Of lucre and ambition; and the truth With superstitions and traditions taint, Left only in those written records pure, Though not but by the Spirit understood. Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names,
Places, and titles, and with these to join Secular power; though feigning still to act By spiritual, to themselves appropriating The Spirit of God, promis'd alike, and given To all believers; and, from that pretence, Spiritual laws by carnal power shall force
Left them inroll'd, or what the spirit within Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then But force the Spirit of grace itself, and bind His consort Liberty? what, but unbuild His living temples, built by faith to stand, Their own faith, not another's ? for, on Earth, Who against faith and conscience can be heard Infallible? yet many will presume: Whence heavy persecution shall arise On all, who in the worship persevere Of spirit and truth; the rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied; Truth shall retire Bestuck with slanderous darts, and works of faith Rarely be found: so shall the world go on, To good malignant, to bad men benign; Under her own weight groaning; till the day Appear of respiration to the just, And vengeance to the wicked, at return Of him so lately promis'd to thy aid,
The woman's Seed; obscurely then foretold, Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord; Last, in the clouds, from Heaven to be reveal'd In glory of the Father, to dissolve Satan with his perverted world; then raise From the conflagrant mass, purg'd and refin'd, New Heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date, Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love; To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss."
He ended; and thus Adam last replied. "How soon hath thy prediction, seer blest, Measur'd this transient world, the race of time, Till time stand fix'd? Beyond is all abyss, Eternity, whose end no eye can reach. Greatly instructed I shall hence depart; Greatly in peace of thought; and have my fill Of knowledge what this vessel can contain ; Beyond which was my folly to aspire. Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, And love with fear the only God; to walk As in his presence; ever to observe His providence; and on him sole depend, Merciful over all his works, with good Still overcoming evil, and by small Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise By simply meek: that suffering for truth's sake Is fortitude to highest victory,
And, to the faithful, death, the gate of life; Taught this by his example, whom I now Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest."
To whom thus also the angel last replied. "This having learn'd, thou hast attain'd the
Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the stars Thou knew'st by name, and all the ethereal
All secrets of the deep, all Nature's works, Or works of God in Heaven, air, earth, or sea, And all the riches of this world enjoy'dst, And all the rule, one empire; only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable; add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance; add love, By name to come call'd charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loth To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far.-
Of speculation; for the hour precise Exacts our parting hence; and see! the guards, By me encamp'd on yonder hill, expect Their motion; at whose front a flaming sword, In signal of remove, waves fiercely round: We may no longer stay: go, waken Eve; Her also I with gentle dreams have calm'd Portending good, and all her spirits compos'd To meek submission: thou, at season fit, Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard; Chiefly, what may concern her faith to know, The great deliverance by her seed to come That ye may live, which will be many days, (For by the woman's seed) on all mankind : Both in one faith unanimous, though sad, With cause for evils past; yet much more
With meditation on the happy end."
He ended, and they both descend the hill; Descended, Adam to the bower, where Eve Lay sleeping, ran before: but found her wak'd; And thus with words not sad she him receiv'd. "Whence thou return'st, and whither went'st, I know;
For God is also in sleep; and dreams advise, Presaging, since with sorrow and heart's distress Which he hath sent propitious, some great good Wearied I fell asleep: but now lead on; In me is no delay; with thee to go, Is to stay here; without thee here to stay, Is to go hence unwilling; thou to me Art all things under Heaven, all places thou, Who for my wilful crime art banish'd hence. This further consolation yet secure I carry hence; though all by me is lost, Such favour I unworthy am vouchsaf'd, By me the promis'd Seed shall all restore."
So spake our mother Eve; and Adam heard Well pleas'd, but answer'd not: for now, too
The arch-angel stood; and from the other hill To their fix'd station, all in bright array The cherubim descended; on the ground Ris'n from a river o'er the marish glides, Gliding meteorous, as evening-mist And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel Homeward returning. High in front advanc'd, The brandish'd sword of God before them blaz'd, Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat, And vapour as the Libyan air adust,
Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat In either hand the hastening angel caught Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast To the subjected plain; then disappear'd. They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Wav'd over by that flaming brand; the gate With dreadful faces throng'd, and fiery arms : Some natural tears they dropt, but wip'd them
The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide: They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and
Through Eden took their solitary way.
CONTAINING PLANS OF SIMILAR SUBJECTS, INTEND ED FOR TRAGEDIES BY MILTON FROM HIS OWN MS, IN TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
Is the library of Trinity College, Cambridge, is a thin folio raanuscript, marked, in the year 1799, when I was obligingly permitted by the master and fellows of that society to examine it, Miscell. R. iii. 4. It is handsomely bound; and to the inside of one of the covers is pasted a paper with this inscription: Membra hæc eruditissimi et pænè divine Poetæ olim miserè disjecta et passim sparsa, postea verò fortuitò inventa, et in unum denuo collecta à CAROLO MASON ejusdem Collegii Socio, et inter Miscellanea reposita, deinceps eâ quâ decuit religione servari voluit THOMAS CLARKE', nuperrimmè hujusce Collegii, nunc ve.ò Medii Templi Londini, Socius, 1736. These papers were found by Dr. Mason, abovementioned, who was also Woodwardian professor at Cambridge, among other old and neglected manuscripts belonging to sir Henry Newton Puckering, a considerable benefactor to the library. They contain two draughts of a letter to a friend, who had importuned Milton to take orders; the following plans of Paradise Lost in the form of a tragedy, or mystery; the plans or subjects of several other intended tragedies, all in the poet's own hand; and entire copies of many of his smaller poems, in the same hand, except in a few instances, exhibiting his first thoughts and subsequent corrections. All these variations, Mr. Warton has observed, have been imperfectly and incorrectly printed by Dr. Birch. Various readings of this MS. have been also admitted into Dr. Newton's edition of all Milton's
poetical works; as have such, which relate to the respective pieces, and which have been more minutely investigated, in Mr. Warton's two editions of Milton's smaller poems. Upon a careful examination of this manuscript, I have discovered a few peculiarities, or variations of expression, which have escaped the notice of those who have preceded me in describing this literary curiosity; and which will be found in their proper places. For I have added, at the end of each particular poem, as of Lycidas, Arcades, and Comus; and at the end of each series of poems, as of Sonnets, Odes, and Miscellanies; the several various readings respectively belonging to them. In this arrangement I hope to gratify the reader: who, after reading the finished poem, may then trace without interruption, (to use the language of Dr. Johnson respecting the imperfect rudiments of Paradise Lost,) the gradual growth and expansion of great works in their seminal state; and observe how they are sometimes suddenly advanced by accidental hints, and sometimes slowly improved by steady meditation. For this reason also I have placed the dramatic plans of Paradise Lost at the conclusion of the poet's sublimer "heroic song;" and have suhjoined, to the tragedy of Samson Agonistes, the plans of Milton's other intended dramas.
■ Afterwards master of the Rolls, and knight. Mr. Warton says that sir Henry "had so great an affection for this college, in which he had been educated, that in his eightieth year he desired to be readmitted: and, residing there a whole summer, presented to the new library, just then finished, his own collection of books, amounting to near four thousand volumes. He was son of sir Adam Newton, tutor to prince Henry; and many papers written by that prince, or relating to him, are involved in the collection. Sir Henry took the name of Puckering in remembrance of his uncle sir Thomas Puckering of Warwickshire, a learned and accomplished man, brother in law to sir Adam Newton, son of lord keeper Puckering, a companion of the studies of prince Henry. Many of the books were presents to the prince from authors or editors. In Dr. Duport's Hore subsecive, a poem is addressed to this preserver of Milton's manuscripts, Ad D. Henricum Puckeringum, alias Newtonum, Equitum baronettum. Cantabr. 1676. 8vo. pp. 222, 223. This sir Henry had a son, pupil to Dr. Duport at Trinity College, but who died before his father."
Heavenly Love. Heavenly Evening-Starre.
Chorus prepare resistance at his first approach. At last, after discourse of enmity on either side, he departs; whereat the Chorus sing of the battell and victorie in Heaven against him and bis accomplices: as before, after the first act, was sung a hymn of the creation3.
Heer again may appear Lucifer, relating and
Chorus sing the marriage song, and describe Pa- insulting in what he had don to the destruction
of Man. Man next, and Eve, having by this time bin seduc't by the serpent, appears confusedly cover'd with leaves. Conscience, in a shape, accuses him. Justice cites him to the place, whither Jehovah called for him. In the mean while, the Chorus entertains the stage, and is informed, by some angel, [of] the manner of his fall4.
Heer the Chorus bewails Adam's fall. Adam then and Eve returne, and accuse one another; but especially Adam layes the blame to his wife; is stubborn in his offence. Justice appears; reasons with him, convinces him. The Chorus ad
Conscience cites them to God's examination. Chorus bewailes, and tells the good, Adam hath monishes Adam, and bids him beware Lucifer's lost.
Adam unparadiz'd.
The angel Gabriel, either descending or entring; showing, since the globe was created, his frequency as much on Earth as in Heaven; describes Paradise. Next, the Chorus, showing the reason of his comming to keep his watch after Jucifer's rebellion, by command from God: and withall expressing his desire to see and know more concerning this excellent and new creature, Man. The angel Gabriel, as by his name signifying a prince of power, tracing Paradise with a more free office, passes by the station of the Chorus; and, desired by them, relates what he knew of Man; as the creation of Eve, with thire love and marriage.
After this, Lucifer appears after his overthrow, bemoans himself, seeks revenge upon Man. The
example of impenitences.
The angel is sent to banish them out of Paradise; but, before, causes to pass before his eyes, in shapes, a mask of all the evills of this life and world. He is humbl'd, relents, dispaires. At last appeares Mercy, comforts him, promises the Messiah; then calls in Faith, Hope, and Charity; instructs him. He repents; gives God the glory, submitts to his penalty, The Chorus briefly concludes.
Compare this with the former draught7.
The subject proposed. Invocation of the Holy Spirit. The poem opens with John baptizing
3 End of the second act.
4 End of the third act. 5 End of the fourth act.
6 End of the fifth act.
7 The reader may compare the allegorical characters, and their offices, in this and the preceding draught, with those in the Italian drama by Andreini:
Phillips, the nephew of Milton, has told us, that Paradise Lost was first designed for a tragedy, and that in the fourth book of the poem "there are ten verses, which, several years before the poem was begun, were shown to me, and some others, as designed for the very beginning of the said tragedy." Life, &c. 1694, p. xxxv. These verses are the opening of Satan's celebrated address to the Sun. "O thou, that with surpassing glory crown'd, &c." TODD.
(') No edition of Paradise Regained had ever appeared with Arguments to the Books, before that which was published in 1795 by Mr. Dun.. ster; from which they are adopted in this edition. Peck indeed endeavoured to supply the deficiency, in his Memoirs of Milton, 1740,
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