13

He ended; and thus Adam last replyd.

How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest,

Measurd this transient World, the Race of time,

Till time stand fixt: beyond is all abyss, [ 555 ]

Eternitie, whose end no eye can reach.

Greatly instructed I shall hence depart.

Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill

Of knowledge, what this Vessel can containe;

Beyond which was my folly to aspire. [ 560 ]

Henceforth I learne, that to obey is best,

And love with feare the onely God, to walk

As in his presence, ever to observe

His providence, and on him sole depend,

Merciful over all his works, with good [ 565 ]

Still overcoming evil, and by small

Accomplishing great things, by things deemd weak

Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise

By simply meek; that suffering for Truths sake

Is fortitude to highest victorie, [ 570 ]

And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life;

Taught this by his example whom I now

Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest.

To whom thus also th Angel last replid:

This having learnt, thou hast attained the summe [ 575 ]

Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the Starrs

Thou knewst by name, and all th ethereal Powers,

All secrets of the deep, all Natures works,

Or works of God in Heavn, Aire, Earth, or Sea,

And all the riches of this World enjoydst, [ 580 ]

And all the rule, one Empire; onely add

Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add Faith,

Add vertue, Patience, Temperance, add Love,

By name to come calld Charitie, the soul

Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath [ 585 ]

To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess

A Paradise within thee, happier farr.