14

However some tradition they dispersd

Among the Heathen of thir purchase got,

And Fabld how the Serpent, whom they calld [ 580 ]

Ophion with Eurynome, the wide-

Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule

Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn drivn

And Ops, ere yet Dictæan Jove was born.

Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair [ 585 ]

Too soon arrivd, Sin there in power before,

Once actual, now in body, and to dwell

Habitual habitant; behind her Death

Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet

On his pale Horse: to whom Sin thus began. [ 590 ]

Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death,

What thinkst thou of our Empire now, though earnd

With travail difficult, not better farr

Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch,

Unnamd, undreaded, and thy self half starvd? [ 595 ]

Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon.

To mee, who with eternal Famin pine,

Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven,

There best, where most with ravin I may meet;

Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems [ 600 ]

To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps.

To whom th incestuous Mother thus replid.

Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flours

Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle,

No homely morsels, and whatever thing [ 605 ]

The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspard,

Till I in Man residing through the Race,

His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect,

And season him thy last and sweetest prey.

This said, they both betook them several wayes, [ 610 ]

Both to destroy, or unimmortal make

All kinds, and for destruction to mature

Sooner or later; which th Almightie seeing,

From his transcendent Seat the Saints among,

To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice. [ 615 ]