What wohen if fields and region here
Breathe forth Elixir pure, and Rivers run
Potable Gold, when with ouous touch
Th Arch-chimi so farr from us remote
Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt [ 610 ]
Here in the dark so many precious things
Of clorious and effect so rare?
Here matter o gaze the Devil met
Undazld, farr and wide his eye ands,
Fht 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, wheno way round
Shadow from body opaque 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 Aand,
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 inning woe.
But first he casts to ge 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 et his flowing haire [ 640 ]
In curles oher cheek plaid, wings he wore
Of many a colourd plume sprinkld with Gold,
His habit fit for speed suct, and held
Before his det steps a Silver wand.