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Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world,

With man therein or beast; but when he brings

Over the earth a cloud, will therein set

His triple-coloured bow, whereon to look

And call to mind His covenant. Day and night,

Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost,

Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new,

Both heaven and earth, wherein the just shall dwell.

BOOK XII.

The Angel Michael continues, from the flood, to relate what shall succeed; then in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain who that seed of the woman shall be which was promised Adam and Eve in the fall: His incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension; the state of the Church till his second coming. Adam, greatly satisfied and recomforted by these relations and promises, descends the hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quietness of mind and submission. Michael, in either hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and the cherubim taking their stations to guard the place.

As one who, in his journey, bates at noon,

Though bent on speed, so here the Archangel paused

Betwixt the world destroyed and world restored,

If Adam aught, perhaps, might interpose;

Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes:

Thus thou hast seen one world begin, and end,

And man, as from a second stock, proceed.

Much thou hast yet to see; but I perceive

Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine

Must needs impair and weary human sense,

Henceforth what is to come I will relate;

Thou, therefore, give due audience, and attend:

This second source of men, while yet but few,

And while the dread of judgment past remains

Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,

With some regard to what is just and right

Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace,

Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crops,

Corn, wine, and oil; and, from the herd or flock,

Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid,

With large wine-offerings poured, and sacred feast,

Shall spend their days in joy unblamed, and dwell

Long time in peace, by families and tribes,

Under paternal rule; till one shall rise,

Under paternal rule; till one shall rise,

hunter before the Lord: and the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, in the land of Shinar." (Gen. x. 8-10.)