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Driven back, redounded as a flood on those

From whom it sprung, impossible to mix

With blessedness. Whence Adam soon repealed¹

The doubts that in his heart arose; and now

Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know

What nearer might concern him, how this world

Of heaven and earth conspicuous² first began;

When, and whereof created; for what cause;

What within Eden, or without, was done

Before his memory, as one, whose drought

Yet scarce allayed, still eyes the current stream,

Whose liquid murmur heard, new thirst excites,

Proceeded thus to ask his heavenly guest:

Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, Far differing from this world, thou hast revealed, Divine interpreter! by favour sent Down from the Empyrean, to forewarn Us timely of what might else have been our loss, Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach; For which, to the infinitely Good we owe Immortal thanks, and His admonishment Receive, with solemn purpose to observe Immutably his sovereign will, the end Of what we are. But since thou hast vouchsafed Gently, for our instruction, to impart Things above earthly thought, which yet concerned Our knowing, as to highest Wisdom seemed, Deign to descend now lower, and relate What may no less, perhaps, avail us known: How first began this heaven which we behold Distant so high, with moving fires adorned Innumerable; and this which yields or fills All space, the ambient air wide interfused, Embracing round this florid earth: what cause

\* Repealed.—Possibly the word should be "repelled." That is certainly the idea intended to be conveyed.

Wave rolling after wave, where way they found; If sleep with torrent rupture.

Book VII., lines 298, 299.