Subject to Heaven's decree, and evermore Have done their Maker's will. This passage, to our taste, is even finer than the corresponding passage in Milton: Darkness profound Covered the Abyss; but on the watery calm His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspread, "Let there be Light!" said God; and forthwith Light Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, Sprung from the Deep, and from her native East To journey through the aery gloom began, Sphered in a radiant cloud-for yet the Sun Sojourned the while. God saw the Light was good; The description of the sublime work of the second Day of Creation, when the Firmament was upraised, is of especial interest as proving, by direct comparison of corresponding passages, the identity of the astronomical views of the two poets. Cædmon tells us, Pale, heavenly Light, Rise the bright framework of the glistening stars. In this, and also in the following extract from Milton, the term "Heaven" is used to designate the Sphere of the Fixed Stars or Firmament, and not the Empyrean. Again God said, "Let there be firmament The waters from the waters!" and God made In circuit to the uttermost convex Of this great round-partition firm and sure, Of Chaos far removed, lest fierce extremes This passage, which is one of eminent note in the study of Paradise Lost, leaves little room for doubt |