15

By thee adulterous lust was drivn from men

Among the bestial herds to raunge, by thee

Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure, [ 755 ]

Relations dear, and all the Charities

Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.

Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,

Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,

Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets, [ 760 ]

Whose bed is undefild and chaste pronounct,

Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs usd.

Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights

His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,

Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile [ 765 ]

Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,

Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours

Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,

Or Serenate, which the starvd Lover sings

To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. [ 770 ]

These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept,

And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof

Showrd Roses, which the Morn repaird. Sleep on

Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek

No happier state, and know to know no more. [ 775 ]

Now had night measurd with her shaddowie Cone

Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,

And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim

Forth issuing at th accustomd hour stood armd

To thir night watches in warlike Parade, [ 780 ]

When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake.

Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the South

With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,

Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part

Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear. [ 785 ]

From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calld

That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.

Ithuriel and Zephon, with wingd speed

Search through this Garden, leave unsearcht no nook,

But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge, [ 790 ]

Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme.