Epic of the Fall of Man, or Paradise Lost, involving as it does, the fall of the great Archangel from the Empyrean, is the poetic expression of an infinite Past (if we may use so illogical a term); and of the dawn of Evil in the world. The Divina Commedia, on the other hand, presupposing all this, is the poetic expression of an infinite Hereafter, an immortality in which the bent which the free-will has given to the character in the Present, will have its logical issue for ever.

The philosophy of the poet may be all wrong, but it is, at least, a poetic answer to a universal cry that comes welling up from the very depths of the great heart of humanity.

The more intently and minutely these works are studied, the more overpowering becomes the sense of the grandeur of the imagination displayed. Such works to be appreciated in all their wealth of metaphor and meaning, must be studied, not merely read. Then, as time wears on, the mind of the poet will stand out in a stronger and ever strengthening light, till at length, after years of pleasurable research, the student will come to see the production of the poet's brain in all its beauty of design and perfection of finish.

SIS RIHT MICELÐÆET perodera peard pereda pul dorcmurg. pondum hugth-modum lufich· herp magna sped heapos salpa heah gif-crafta fría elmiborg. nær him fruma œfre: ongeponoth. nenu thoe cymþ. ecean druhong, achebið á rice. of & hí fín prolap haagum þnymmum. Joð fæst. &ppið from spel bor may hold þaparon gifsare, pideside. þunhge pea to goog. pulong baapnum gasta peapdum. hardon glam praim. Th&ora oro pruunan. Argla Inaway. blonde blippe. por hora blæd micel· pering pnym parte: peoo aa hepedon. sægdon lup our lox. hoopalix fraan-dandon orulning duge pum papon ppide gerlige pynna necupon.p pina prâmman. ac hit on fride lid on ecemid hepaaldor elli ne ongun non-rærun on pode rum. nymbe jutro prop. andon engla peapo. For oph hygde. Dolongedpilde: noldan drwgunling. híopa selfra ræd. ache of fiblufan gode a hpunkon. hardon gelp micel·phie pið opihtne: dælanmankton. puloop pœsain pic. perodtf knymme proppest copli. hmm þær sangelamp. afft jopenhygd þær Angly mov·þepone un red. ongan ærist frånman pecan y péccean. þahe porde opað·mber of þyrpæd.pheon norðdæle.

[Reduced fac-simile of the first page of the Junian Manuscript.]

CHAPTER X.

The Fall of Man. Translated from the Anglo

Saxon of Cadmon.

M

OST right it is to chant the ceaseless praise

Of Him who guards the starry heights of bliss
And ever, with enraptured hearts, adore
The Glory-King of Heaven's Angelic host.

In Him alone, the Lord Eternal, dwells
Might uncreated. He is Head supreme
Of all exalted creatures. He alone
Knew no beginning and shall have no end,
Holding for evermore Almighty sway
O'er Thrones and Principalities and Powers.

High in His Majesty, with Justice clothed,
Omnipotent to do His Sovereign will,

He ruled the Heavenly concaves, which at first,
By power divine, were stretched out far and wide
Throughout unbounded space, celestial Home
Of those who guard the spirits of the just.

ΙΟ

Then, had the Angelic host triumphant joy
And in the light of God's eternal Throne
Found their one guerdon of allegiance.

20 Bright messengers were they of Heavenly love
Swift to perform God's will. In blissful mood
They praised the Lord of Life, or prostrate fell
In deepest adoration at the feet

Of Him who made them, their eternal King,
And in obedience found their highest joy.

No deadly sin or lurking, traitorous thought
Had dared assault their hearts; in peace they lived
With their All-glorious Chief, and naught save Truth
And holy Rectitude upreared its head

30 Within the sacred battlements of Heaven
Till he, who lifted high above his peers,
The Guardian Angel of the Angelic tribes,
Fell through accursèd pride. Full many then,
Holding in light esteem celestial Love,
Forgat their highest Good. Presumptuous,
They thought to war against Almighty God
And erelong share, with High Omnipotence,
The unfading glory of that peaceful realm
Its sceptre, crown and bright seraphic throng.

40 Vain was their hope, delusive was their dream;

For in the stead of rebel victory and princely power,
Hatred and pride and racking pain befell