19

So disinherited how would ye bless

Me now your curse! Ah, why should all mankind

For one mans fault thus guiltless be condemnd,

If guiltless? But from mee what can proceed,

But all corrupt, both Mind and Will depravd, [ 825 ]

Not to do onely, but to will the same

With me? how can they then acquitted stand

In sight of God? Him after all Disputes

Forct I absolve: all my evasions vain

And reasonings, though through Mazes, lead me still [ 830 ]

But to my own conviction: first and last

On mee, mee onely, as the sourse and spring

Of all corruption, all the blame lights due;

So might the wrauth. Fond wish! couldst thou support

That burden heavier then the Earth to bear [ 835 ]

Then all the World much heavier, though divided

With that bad Woman? Thus what thou desirst,

And what thou fearst, alike destroyes all hope

Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable

Beyond all past example and future, [ 840 ]

To Satan only like both crime and doom.

O Conscience, into what Abyss of fears

And horrors hast thou drivn me; out of which

I find no way, from deep to deeper plungd!

Thus Adam to himself lamented loud [ 845 ]

Through the still Night, not now, as ere man fell,

Wholsom and cool, and mild, but with black Air

Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom,

Which to his evil Conscience represented

All things with double terror: On the ground [ 850 ]

Outstretcht he lay, on the cold ground, and oft

Cursd his Creation, Death as oft accusd

Of tardie execution, since denounct

The day of his offence. Why comes not Death,

Said hee, with one thrice acceptable stroke [ 855 ]

To end me? Shall Truth fail to keep her word,

Justice Divine not hastn to be just?

But Death comes not at call, Justice Divine

Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.

O Woods, O Fountains, Hillocks, Dales and Bowrs, [ 860 ]

With other echo late I taught your Shades

To answer, and resound farr other Song.