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What wonder then if fields and region here

Breathe forth Elixir pure, and Rivers run

Potable Gold, when with one vertuous touch

Th Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote

Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt [ 610 ]

Here in the dark so many precious things

Of colour glorious and effect so rare?

Here matter new to gaze the Devil met

Undazld, farr and wide his eye commands,

For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, [ 615 ]

But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at Noon

Culminate from th Æquator, as they now

Shot upward still direct, whence no way round

Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the Aire,

No where so cleer, sharpnd his visual ray [ 620 ]

To objects distant farr, whereby he soon

Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand,

The same whom John saw also in the Sun:

His back was turnd, but not his brightness hid;

Of beaming sunnie Raies, a golden tiar [ 625 ]

Circld his Head, nor less his Locks behind

Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings

Lay waving round; on som great charge imployd

He seemd, or fixt in cogitation deep.

Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope [ 630 ]

To find who might direct his wandring flight

To Paradise the happie seat of Man,

His journies end and our beginning woe.

But first he casts to change his proper shape,

Which else might work him danger or delay: [ 635 ]

And now a stripling Cherube he appeers,

Not of the prime, yet such as in his face

Youth smild Celestial, and to every Limb

Sutable grace diffusd, so well he feignd;

Under a Coronet his flowing haire [ 640 ]

In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he wore

Of many a colourd plume sprinkld with Gold,

His habit fit for speed succinct, and held

Before his decent steps a Silver wand.