Side 217 af 239

288

But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost? To whom thus Michael: These are the product Of those ill-mated marriages' thou sawest; Where good with bad were matched, who of themselves Abhor to join, and, by imprudence mixed, Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were those giants, men of high renown; For in those days might only shall be admired, And valour and heroic virtue called. To overcome in battle, and subdue Nations, and bring home spoils, with infinite Manslaughter, shall be held the highest pitch Of human glory; and for glory done Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods; Destroyers rightlier called, and plagues of men. Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on earth; And what most merits fame, in silence hid. But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldest The only righteous in a world perverse, And therefore hated, therefore so beset With foes, for daring single to be just, And utter odious truth, that God would come To judge them with His saints, him the Most High, Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds, Did, as thou sawest, receive, to walk with God High in salvation and the climes of bliss, Exempt from death; to shew thee what reward Awaits the good; the rest what punishment, Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold. He looked and saw the face of things quite changed The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar.

\* Ill-mated marriages.—"There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God men of renown." (Gen. vi. 4.)