8. PARADISE. L-OST,; BOOK Contented with report hear only in heav'n: For wonderful indeed are all his works, Pl'afant to know, and worthieft to be all Had in remembrance always with delight. But what created mind can comprehend 705 Their number, or the wifdom infinite That brought them forth, but hid their eaufes deep ? faw when at his word the formlefs mafs, This world's material mould, came to a heap : Contufion heard his voice, and wild uproar 710 Stood rul'd, flood vaf} infinitude confin'd : Till at his fecond bidding darknefs fled, Light (hone, and order from diforder fprung. Swift to their feveral quarters hafted then The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air fire, 715 And the ethereal quinteffence of heav'n Flew upward, fpirited with various forms, That rowi'd orbicular, and turn'd to liars, Numberiefs, as thou feel}, and how they move ; Each had his place appointed, each his courfe, 720 '1 he ref} in circuit walls this univerfe. Look downward on that globe whole hither fide With light from hence, tho' but refledecl, fhines : That place is earth,. the feat of man, that light 1-11s day, which elfe as th' other hernifphere 725 Night would 'Ewa& ; but there the neighb'ring moon (So call that oppofite fair flar) her aid Timely interposes, and her monthly round Still ending, flue renewing through mid heav'n, With borrow'd light her countenance triform 730 Hence fills, and empties, to enlighten th' earth, And in her pale dominion clmcks the night. That tpot to which I point is Paradife, Adam's abode, thole lofty Ihades his bow'r ; Thy way thou canil not mils? me mine'requires. 735 Thus
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