7

Not of my self; by some great Maker then,

In goodness and in power præeminent;

Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, [ 280 ]

From whom I have that thus I move and live,

And feel that I am happier then I know.

While thus I calld, and strayd I knew not whither,

From where I first drew Aire, and first beheld

This happie Light, when answer none returnd, [ 285 ]

On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours

Pensive I sate me down; there gentle sleep

First found me, and with soft oppression seisd

My droused sense, untroubld, though I thought

I then was passing to my former state [ 290 ]

Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve:

When suddenly stood at my Head a dream,

Whose inward apparition gently movd

My Fancy to believe I yet had being,

And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine, [ 295 ]

And said, thy Mansion wants thee, Adam, rise,

First Man, of Men innumerable ordaind

First Father, calld by thee I come thy Guide

To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepard.

So saying, by the hand he took me raisd, [ 300 ]

And over Fields and Waters, as in Aire

Smooth sliding without step, last led me up

A woodie Mountain; whose high top was plaine,

A Circuit wide, enclosd, with goodliest Trees

Planted, with Walks, and Bowers, that what I saw [ 305 ]

Of Earth before scarce pleasant seemd. Each Tree

Loadn with fairest Fruit, that hung to the Eye

Tempting, stirrd in me sudden appetite

To pluck and eate; whereat I wakd, and found

Before mine Eyes all real, as the dream [ 310 ]

Had lively shadowd: Here had new begun

My wandring, had not hee who was my Guide

Up hither, from among the Trees appeerd,

Presence Divine. Rejoycing, but with aw,

In adoration at his feet I fell [ 315 ]

Submiss: he reard me, and Whom thou soughtst I am,

Said mildely, Author of all this thou seest

Above, or round about thee or beneath.