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How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold
The end of all thy Ofspring, end so sad, [ 755 ]
Depopulation; thee another Floud,
Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drownd,
And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard
By th Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last,
Though comfortless, as when a Father mourns [ 760 ]
His Children, all in view destroyd at once;
And scarce to th Angel utterdst thus thy plaint.
O Visions ill foreseen! better had I
Livd ignorant of future, so had borne
My part of evil onely, each dayes lot [ 765 ]
Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst
The burdn of many Ages, on me light
At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth
Abortive, to torment me ere thir being,
With thought that they must be. Let no man seek [ 770 ]
Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall
Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,
And hee the future evil shall no less
In apprehension then in substance feel [ 775 ]
Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,
Man is not whom to warne: those few escapt
Famin and anguish will at last consume
Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope
When violence was ceast, and Warr on Earth, [ 780 ]
All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd
With length of happy dayes the race of man;
But I was farr deceavd; for now I see
Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.
How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide, [ 785 ]
And whether here the Race of man will end.
To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst
In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess eminent
And great exploits, but of true vertu void; [ 790 ]
Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste
Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby
Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,
Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,
Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride [ 795 ]
Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.