BOOK VIII. PARADISE LOST. 211 Seek them with wandring thoughts, and notions vain. But apt the mind, or fancy, is to rove Uncheck'd, and of her roving is no end : 'Till warn'd, or by experience taught, file learn, 190 That not to know at large of things remote From ufe, obi-cure and tubtile, but to know That which before us lies in daily life, I the prime Wifdom : what is more, is fume, Or emptine(s, or fond impertinence ; 195 And renders us in things that molt concern Unorat-tis'd, unprepar'd, and (fill to Peek. Therefore from this high pitch let us defcend A lower flight ; and fpeak of things at hand Useful, whence happy mention may arife 200 'Of tomething not unfeafonable to afk, By fuff'rance, and thy wonted favor deign'd. Thee I have heard relating what was done E'er my remembrance : now, hear me relate My (Tory, which perhaps thou haft not heard: 205 And day- is yet not fpent, 'till then thou feeft How lubtly to detain thee I devife, Inviting thee to hear while I relate ; Fond ! were it not in hope of thy reply. For while I fit with Thee, I feern in heav'n, 210 And tweeter thy difcourfe is to my ear Than fruits of Palm-tree (pleafantelt to thirft, And hunger both, from labor) at the hour Of Tweet repalt : they fatiate, and loon fill, Tho' pleafant ; but thy words with grace divine 215 Irnbu'd, bring to their fweetnefs /10 fatiety. To whom thus Raphael anfwer'd heav'nly meek. Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of men ! Nor tongue ineloquent : for God on Thee Abundantly his gifts hath alto pour'd, 220 Inward
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