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To his disciples, men who in his life Still followed him; to them shall leave in charge To teach all nations what of him they learned, And his salvation; them who shall believe Baptising in the profluent stream,1 the sign Of washing them from guilt of sin to life Pure, and in mind prepared, if so befall, For death, like that which the Redeemer died. All nations they shall teach: for, from that day, Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins Salvation shall be preached, but to the sons Of Abraham's faith wherever through the world; So in his seed all nations shall be blest. Then to the Heaven of heavens he shall ascend With victory, triumphing through the air, Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise The Serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains Through all his realm, and there confounded leave; Then enter into glory, and resume His seat at God's right hand, exalted high Above all names in Heaven; and thence shall come, When this world's dissolution shall be ripe, With glory and power, to judge both quick and dead; To judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward His faithful, and receive them into bliss, Whether in heaven or earth; for then the earth, Shall all be Paradise, far happier place Than this of Eden, and far happier days. So spake the Archangel Michael; then paused, As at the world's great period; and our sire, Replete with joy and wonder, thus replied:

\* Profluent stream.—Milton seems to have thought that baptism should be administered in running, not in stagnant water.

O Goodness infinite, Goodness immense!

That all this good of evil shall produce,

And evil turn to good; more wonderful

Than that which by creation first brought forth

Light out of darkness! Full of doubt I stand,

Whether I should repent me now of sin

By me done, and occasioned, or rejoice

Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring;

To God more glory, more good-will to men

From God, and over wrath grace shall abound.

But say, if our Deliverer up to Heaven

Must reascend, what will betide the few,

His faithful, left among the unfaithful herd,

The enemies of truth? Who, then, shall guide

His people—who defend? Will they not deal

Worse with His followers than with Him they dealt?

PARADISE LOST.

Be sure they will, said the Angel; but from Heaven He to his own a Comforter will send, The promise of the Father, who shall dwell His Spirit within them; and the law of faith, Working through love, upon their hearts shall write To guide them in all truth, and also arm With spiritual armour able to resist Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts; What man can do against them, not afraid, Though to the death; against such cruelties With inward consolations recompensed, And oft supported so as shall amaze Their proudest persecutors; for the Spirit, Poured first on his apostles, whom he sends To evangelise the nations, then on all Baptised, shall them with wondrous gifts endue. To speak all tongues, and do all miracles, As did their Lord before them. Thus they win Great numbers of each nation to receive With joy the tidings brought from Heaven: at length, Their ministry performed, and race well run, Their doctrine and their story written left, They die; but in their room, as they forewarn,