With all the creatures, and their seed preserve.

Far less I now lament for one whole world

Of wicked sons destroyed, than I rejoice

For one man found so perfect, and so just,

That God vouchsafes to raise another world

From him, and all his anger to forget.

But say, what mean those coloured streaks in Heaven

Distended, as the brow of God appeased?

Or serve they, as a flowery verge, to bind

The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud,

Lest it again dissolve, and shower the earth?”

To whom the Arch-Angel. “Dextrously thou aimest;

So willingly doth God remit his ire,

Though late repenting him of Man depraved;

Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw

The whole earth filled with violence, and all flesh

Corrupting each their way; yet, those removed,

Such grace shall one just man find in his sight,

That he relents, not to blot out mankind;

And makes a covenant never to destroy

The earth again by flood; nor let the sea

Surpass his bounds; nor rain to drown the world,

With man therein or beast; but, when he brings

Over the earth a cloud, will therein set

His triple-coloured bow, whereon to look,

And call to mind his covenant: Day and night,

Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost,

Shall hold their course; till fire purge all things new,

Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.”

BOOK XII

As one who in his journey bates at noon,

Though bent on speed; so here the Arch-Angel paused

Betwixt the world destroyed and world restored,

If Adam aught perhaps might interpose;

Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes.

“Thus thou hast seen one world begin, and end;

And Man, as from a second stock, proceed.

Much thou hast yet to see; but I perceive

Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine

Must needs impair and weary human sense:

Henceforth what is to come I will relate;

Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.

This second source of Men, while yet but few,

And while the dread of judgement past remains

Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,

With some regard to what is just and right

Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace;

Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop,

Corn, wine, and oil; and, from the herd or flock,

Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid,

With large wine-offerings poured, and sacred feast,

Shall spend their days in joy unblamed; and dwell

Long time in peace, by families and tribes,

Under paternal rule: till one shall rise

Of proud ambitious heart; who, not content

With fair equality, fraternal state,

Will arrogate dominion undeserved

Over his brethren, and quite dispossess

Concord and law of nature from the earth;

Hunting (and men not beasts shall be his game)

With war, and hostile snare, such as refuse

Subjection to his empire tyrannous:

A mighty hunter thence he shall be styled

Before the Lord; as in despite of Heaven,

Or from Heaven, claiming second sovranty;