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In me is no delay; with thee to go,
Is to stay here; without thee here to stay,
Is to go hence unwilling; thou to me
Art all things under heaven, all places thou,
Who for my wilful crime art banish'd hence.
This further consolation yet secure

I carry hence; though all by me is lost,
Such favour I unworthy am vouchsaf'd,
By me the promis'd Seed shall all restore. »

So spake our mother Eve; and Adam heard
Well pleas'd, but answer'd not : for now, too nigh
The arch-angel stood; and from the other hill
To their fix'd station, all in bright array
The cherubim descended; on the ground
Gliding meteorous, as evening-mist

Risen from a river o'er the marish glides,
And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel
Homeward returning. High in front advanc'd,
The brandish'd sword of God before them blaz'd,
Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat,
And vapour as the Libyan air adust,
Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat
In either hand the hastening angel caught
Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate
Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast
To the subjected plain; then disappear'd.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld

Of paradise, so late their happy seat

Wav'd over by that flaming brand; the gate
With dreadful faces throng'd, and fiery arms.

Some natural tears they dropt, but wip'd them soon:

The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide! They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.

THE END.

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The Life of Milton, with Criticisms on his Works, by Dr.
Johnson.

A general Critique upon the Paradise Lost, by Joseph

The verse.

PAGES.

Ibid.

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Г.

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