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Воок VII.-538-573]

Let us make now Man in our image, man In our similitude, and let them rule Over the fish and fowl of sea and air, Beast of the field, and over all the earth, And every creeping thing that creeps the ground. This said, he formed thee, Adam, thee, O man, Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breathed The breath of life; in His own image he Created thee, in the image of God Express, and thou becamest a living soul. Male he created thee; but thy consort, Female, for race; then blessed mankind, and said, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth, Subdue it, and throughout dominion hold Over fish of the sea, and fowl of the air, And every living thing that moves on the earth. Wherever thus created, for no place Is yet distinct by name, thence, as thou know'st, He brought thee into this delicious grove,

This garden planted with the trees of God,

Delectable both to behold and taste;

And freely all their pleasant fruit for food

Gave thee. All sorts are here that all the earth yields,

Variety without end. But of the tree,

Which tasted, works knowledge of good and evil,

Thou mayest not; in the day thou eat'st thou diest,

Death is the penalty imposed. Beware,

And govern well thy appetite; lest Sin

Surprise thee, and her black attendant, Death.

Here finished He, and all that he had made Viewed, and behold all was entirely good. So even and morn accomplished the sixth day. Yet not till the Creator from his work Desisting, though unwearied, up returned, Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode, Thence to behold this new created world, The addition of his empire, how it shewed In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair, Answering His great idea. Up he rode, Followed with acclamation, and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tuned Angelic harmonies. The earth, the air Resounded—thou remember'st, for thou heardst— The heavens and all the constellations rung, The planets in their station listening stood, While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. Open, ye everlasting gates! they sung, Open, ye heavens! your living doors; let in The great Creator, from his work returned Magnificent, his six days' work, a world; Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deign To visit oft the dwellings of just men, Delighted, and with frequent intercourse Thither will send his winged messengers On errands of supernal grace. So sung