In dust, our final rest and native home.
What better can we do, than to the place
Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall
Before him reverent, and there confess
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Watering the ground, and with our sighs the Air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn

From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
When angry most he seem'd and most severe,
What else but favour,
grace, and mercy shone?
So spake our Father penitent, nor Eve
Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
Repairing where he judg'd them

prostrate fell Before him reverent, and both confess'd

Humbly thir faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears
Watering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.

The End of the Tenth Book.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK XI.

THE ARGUMENT.

HE Son of God presents to his Father the Prayers

TH

of our first Parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a Band of Cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach, goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces thir departure. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: The Angel leads him up to a high Hill, sets before him in vision what shall happ'n till the Flood.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK XI.

HUS they in lowliest plight repentant stood Praying, for from the Mercy-seat above Prevenient Grace descending had remov'd The stony from thir hearts, and made new flesh Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer

Inspir'd, and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight Than loudest Oratory: yet thir port

Not of mean suitors, nor important less

Seem'd thir Petition, than when th' ancient Pair
In Fables old, less ancient yet then these,
Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha to restore

The Race of Mankind drown'd, before the Shrine
Of Themis stood devout. To Heav'n thir prayers
Flew up, nor miss'd the way, by envious winds
Blown vagabond or frustrate: in they pass'd
Dimensionless through Heav'nly doors; then clad
With incense, where the Golden Altar fum'd,
By thir great Intercessor, came in sight

Before the Father's Throne: Them the glad Son
Presenting, thus to intercede began.

See Father, what first fruits on Earth are sprung From thy implanted Grace in Man, these Sighs And Prayers, which in this Golden Censer, mixt With Incense, I thy Priest before thee bring, Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed Sow'n with contrition in his heart, than those Which his own hand manuring all the Trees