he can subdue the Omnipotent. He knows, too, that were he restored to his former high position among the angels in Heaven, his old ambition would awaken, for he is not willing to be second even when the first is God. So after a long and terrible struggle, he makes his choice: Farewell hope, and with hope, farewell fear; Evil, be thou my good; by thee at least Divided empire with Heaven's King I hold; As man ere long, and this new world shall know." But the picture is too sad; let us turn to this brighter one of Adam and Eve in their "delicious Paradise." "Overhead upgrcw Insuperable' height of loftiest shade, Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, Shade above shade, a woody theatre Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops 1Insuperable: not capable of being passed over. 2 Verdurous: covered with vegetation. And higher than that wall a circling row On which the Sun more glad impressed his beams Than on fair evening cloud, or humid bow, When God hath showered the earth; so lovely seemed Here in this beautiful Paradise, dwelt our first parents : "The loveliest pair That ever since in love's embraces met: Adam, the goodliest man of men since born His sons; the fairest of her daughters, Eve." Their life in this delightful spot is like a beautiful dream. Toil and sorrow and sin are, to them, names unknown. Their labor in the garden is only enough to make them better enjoy the cool zephyr and the taste of the delicious fruits, which they can pluck from the tree as they recline on the soft, downy bank" damasked with flowers." About them, play all the beasts of the earth; for Damasked: adorned. the time has not yet come when the lower animals flee before the approach of man. They hold sweet converse together, and Eve relates her first consciousness of existence : "That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awaked, and found myself reposed Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where A shape within the watery gleam appeared, It started back: but pleased I soon returned; Pleased it returned as soon with answering looks Of sympathy and love." So the day passes in happy labor and peaceful rest, until evening comes on, and Twilight gray clothes all things in her sober livery. |