4
So without least impulse or shadow of Fate, [ 120 ]
Or aught by me immutablie foreseen,
They trespass, Authors to themselves in all
Both what they judge and what they choose; for so
I formd them free, and free they must remain,
Till they enthrall themselves: I else must change [ 125 ]
Thir nature, and revoke the high Decree
Unchangeable, Eternal, which ordaind
Thir freedom, they themselves ordaind thir fall.
The first sort by thir own suggestion fell,
Self-tempted, self-depravd: Man falls deceivd [ 130 ]
By the other first: Man therefore shall find grace,
The other none: in Mercy and Justice both,
Through Heavn and Earth, so shall my glorie excel,
But Mercy first and last shall brightest shine.
Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance filld [ 135 ]
All Heavn, and in the blessed Spirits elect
Sense of new joy ineffable diffusd:
Beyond compare the Son of God was seen
Most glorious, in him all his Father shon
Substantially expressd, and in his face [ 140 ]
Divine compassion visibly appeerd,
Love without end, and without measure Grace,
Which uttering thus he to his Father spake.
O Father, gracious was that word which closd
Thy sovran sentence, that Man should find grace; [ 145 ]
For which both Heavn and Earth shall high extoll
Thy praises, with th innumerable sound
Of Hymns and sacred Songs, wherewith thy Throne
Encompassd shall resound thee ever blest.
For should Man finally be lost, should Man [ 150 ]
Thy creature late so lovd, thy youngest Son
Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though joynd
With his own folly? that be from thee farr,
That farr be from thee, Father, who art Judg
Of all things made, and judgest onely right. [ 155 ]
Or shall the Adversarie thus obtain
His end, and frustrate thine, shall he fulfill
His malice, and thy goodness bring to naught,
Or proud return though to his heavier doom,
Yet with revenge accomplisht and to Hell [ 160 ]
Draw after him the whole Race of mankind,
By him corrupted? or wilt thou thy self
Abolish thy Creation, and unmake,
For him, what for thy glorie thou hast made?
So should thy goodness and thy greatness both [ 165 ]
Be questiond and blaspheamd without defence.
To whom the great Creatour thus replyd.