The life of our blessed Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ an heroic poem, dedicated to Her Most Sacred Majesty : in ten books / attempted by Samuel Wesley ... ; each book illustrated by necessary notes ... also a prefatory discourse concerning heroic poetry ; with sixty copper plates.

THE ARGUMENT OF THE Third BOOK.

THE Introduction from the Happiness and Pleasure of pious Contemplation and Medita∣tion. Nicodemus and the three Disciples find our Saviour at Gethsemane. His discourse with him concerning several Mysteries of the Christian Faith. Nicodemus departs well satisfied with the Conference; and Gamaliel being indisposed, the meeting and further Relation of the three Disciples is adjourned the next day from Joseph's Garden to Gamaliel's House, where S. John goes on with their Discourse of our Saviour, giving an account of the Baptist's History, his Character, Preaching, Prophesies and Baptism, to which many come, and among the rest our Saviour, who is attested there by the descent of the Holy-Ghost, like a Dove, accompany'd with a Voice from Heaven; at which the People being about to take him by force and make him a King, he retires thence into the Wilderness, as well to escape their Importunity, and prepare for his approaching Work, as by God's permission to be tempted of the Devil. The Description of that part of the Wilderness whither our Saviour went. In the mean while Lucifer, who being alarum'd at the Wonders of our Saviour's Birth, and his appearance now at Jordan, and doubting him to be the true Messiah prophe∣sied of to destroy his Kingdom, had observed him at his Baptism, but frighted thence by the Thunder, fell down into the Lake of Sodom, arises thence at Midnight, and gives the sig∣nal to all the Fiends to meet him there; his Speech on the occasion of their meeting, Moloch is for undertaking to destroy our Saviour, but Lucifer forbids him, and himself sets about it: he finds our Saviour, and accosts him in the shape of an old Man almost famished, pressing him with his first Temptation, to work a Miracle, and change Stones into Bread: But our Saviour knowing him through his disguise, rejects his Temptation; Night approaching he attacks him with others raising a Tempest, and several other ways endeavouring to af∣fright him, but without success. The next Morning he accosts him in a glorious Form, tho not denying himself, finding he was discovered, but pretending Love to Mankind, especially to our Saviour, and offering him a Banquet, which he had provided in the midst of a Para∣dise rais'd in the Wilderness. The Song of two attendant Spirits to invite our Savi∣our to eat of the Feast, which, on his refusal, vanishes; and the Devil enrag'd chan∣ges himself into the Form of a Dragon, and snatching up our Saviour, hurries him away in the Air, and sets him on a Pinacle of the Temple, whence he shews him below, the Priests, the Iews and Gentiles in their three Courts gazing at him, the Roman Garrison taking their Pleasure in the Ampitheatre, and the Castle Antonia unguarded, persuading him to descend in the Flame of the Altar, that the Iews might acknowledg him, and under his conduct redeem their Freedom, which he might more securely do, because God had promis'd to give his Angels charge over him. Our Saviour having answered his Text with another, the Devil once more snatches him up and carries him to the top of Pisgah representing in the Air all the Kingdoms of the World, with their Riches and Glory, shews him the Ishma∣elites travelling through the Desarts with Caravans of Gold and Spices: the Kingdoms of Ethiopia, the Isles of the Mediterranean, Italy, Rome, France, Britain: Then back to East beyond Persia, over to China and India, the principal Rarities whereof he describes. And still more East, cross an undiscovered Strait, a new World, whither one of his Attendants was then conducting a Colony of Tartars; offering him his choice of all these, or, if none would satisfie him, to raise him a Throne on Pisgah, and make him King of both those Worlds, if, by way of Homage for them, he'd bow down and adore him. At which blasphemous Proposition, our Saviour instantly commands the Devil to leave him, the time wherein he was permitted to tempt him being now elaps'd, who accordingly vani∣shes away in a Cloud of Smoke and Fire.

[illustration]

CHRIST with NICODEMUS.

THE LIFE OF CHRIST: AN Heroic Poem. BOOK III.

*AND now the Night her peaceful reign be∣gan Indulging food to Beasts and rest to Man To all but him, whom love of Truth denies * E'r the day dawn to close his watchful Eyes: Who from the busie Worlds tumultuous Noise Retir'd, at once himself and Heav'n enjoys; Now dives in Mother Natures deepest springs Searching the Causes and the seeds of things: * Now higher soars on Contemplations Wings; [ 10] Views all the glorious Furniture on high

That decks the Almighties Palace in the Sky; Thence the great Maker argu'd, hastens on, Till past our narrow Earths attraction gone, Past ev'n this World, his vigorous Mind can trace * Some Angel thro' th' imaginary space; Thence follows to the Throne, and prostrate there With equal Zeal and Love presents his Pray'r Before th' All-high, loose from all worldly care, All the dull Ioys, we wretched Mortals know And these vexatious hopes and fears below. [ 20] Go then my Soul! thro' time and matter fly, Beyond the Earth and Air and Sea and Sky! Beyond the place where mortal Seeds are hurl'd, * Beyond the flaming Limits of the World: Long infinite durations measure so As rowling Numbers still themselv's outgo! View Those bright worlds of Ioy which in each other shine! Live well thro' this short world, and they shall all be thine! But first must many a bitter blast be o'r As please high Heav'n; many a fierce Tempest more [ 30] Our little weather-beaten Bark must find And some perhaps, some few white Days behind: First in this narrow Creek, beneath a Storm Must we our long appointed Task perform: Attend our Lord t' his Cross, bewail him there, And weep upon his sacred Sepulchre; Who in good actions all his Life employ'd And only in his Fathers Service joy'd: By Day he in the Temple pray'd and taught; Still Night arriv'd, a calm retirement sought [ 40] At sweet Gethsemane, there was he found By Zebedee's two Sons, who Coasting round From Calvary thro' Salem's Northern bound * With Cephas and the trembling Rabbi came Too fearful yet and much concern'd for Fame; Whom mild our Lord receiv'd— With wonted Sweetness and Benignity; Silent a while he gaz'd, intent to see Such Royal Meekness Humble Majesty; (For now the Silver Moon began to shine) [ 50]

Charm'd with his Godlike meen and Form Divine: Then thus. — If my Confession ought avail Great Sir, who in the very Entrance fail; If Rabbi! such as me you e'r receive, Afraid to own those Truths I must believe: Permit me to acknowledg what's your due, Nay all our Sanhedrim must own 'tis true; And did not Int'rest blind 'em wou'd confess With loud Hosanna's they believe no less: [ 60] That you the wondrous Prophet oft foretold In the Mosaick Oracles of old: Approv'd from Heav'n by many a mighty sign, Your Mission and your Doctrine all-divine: True said our Lord—My Miracles are an Appeal to sence And are to that, Authentic Evidence; 'Gainst all Opposers they the Truth attest, Silence the Tongue, but cannot warm the Breast: A Change far deeper my strict Laws require Of those who not in vain to Heav'n aspire; [ 70] 'Tis a new Birth, a change at once i'th' whole, At once perform'd in Body, mind, and Soul: On these mysterious words the Sage debates, And on their sence a while he besitates: Then thus goes on—Rabbi! of what you say If Sence may not be Judg, sure Reason may; And Reason seems express and clear to me This strange new Birth you urge can never be: To whom our Lord—And Rabbi are you read So meanly then among the mighty Dead? [ 80] Must others from your Lips Instruction learn, Who not your self these plain first Truths discern? If Reason what Sense offers justly weigh, And o'r it bears an undisputed sway; Why should not Reason to Religion yield As Sence when Reason comes must quit the Field? 'Tis a good humble Guide, but when it soars too high 'Tis reason what seems reason to deny. Shall mans weak knowledg fathom boundless might, Or Limits fix to what is infinite? [ 90] Or the great Spirit by your low Laws confin'd

Act nothing that's beyond a Mortal Mind; Which as it please its favours can convey Unknown to men the Reason, Time, and Way? Go track the Wind and tell me where it goes? From what deep Source its headlong Current flows? Whence into Gulphs 'tis form'd, and how and where It makes such strange Meanders in the Air? How, not a Body, or not so to sight All bodie's yield to its impetuous might? If you're with modest silence forc'd to own [ 100] Ev'n much of that which strikes the Sense unknown; With more of reason you'll your reason see In Revelation lost and Mystery: Nor darkly this to Saints of old reveal'd Tho' from the wise and prudent now conceal'd; This saw great Iesses Son by heav'n inspir'd, Who a new Heart with ardent Vows desir'd: The Prophet this, who struck with sacred awe Near Chebars streams the wondrous Vision saw: This ev'n the Gentile World—but that pure Law [ 110] I now promulge, far nobler Truth contains, Which yet to you and them unknown remains: A God that takes the Form of man to dy; A Son of Man that lives Eternally: A God who Robes of mortal Clay doth wear To Place confin'd — a Man that's ev'ry where: Sent by the Father yet Himself the same; (The Everlasting Father in his Name,) On this bad world the last Efforts to prove Of undeserv'd, yet unexhausted Love, [ 120] Lost man to save, and raise to endless Day, Firm Faith in him and holy Works the way. The Sage with his short visit not content Almost a Convert from the Garden went: From what he knew, what was behind he guest, And more impatient grew to hear the rest: Scarce did the Suns impartial beams begin To gild a World of Vanity and Sin, E'r he next morning did Gamaliel see And him agen invites to Calvary; [ 130]

Who, indispos'd of Ioseph had desir'd The Conf'rence, which they all so much admir'd, Might at his house be finish'd, where retir'd, And undisturb'd th' Apostles might relate What yet remain'd of their great Masters fate: Th' Arimathean yields, and when they came With like Facility they grant the same; Who at the house arriv'd and they and he Receiv'd with Chearful Hospitality, [ 140] His Friends, with a short neat Collation cheerd, Gamaliel thus, the Room and Table cleer'd, To Zebedees, and Iona's son addrest: What yesterday you told us, 'tis confest, The Air of truth and wonder has, nor we Without a groundless Incredulity Can doubt what such high attestation brings, From Heav'n, and Earth, from Shepherds, Angels, Kings: Whose firm foundation equally relies On Faith, and Sense, Wonders, and Prophesies: [ 150] Since this from what's already past is clear, The rest more earnest we desire to hear! Thus he, thus all who sate attentive there: When th' Elder of the Zebedean pair; If this so much your wonder move, rejoyn'd, What will be left for what remains behind, Which yet far more Deserves?— What by all Israel was at once Discern'd Or from our Master's sacred Lips we learn'd? His Abstinence, his Tryal, and distress, [ 160] And dreadful Combat in the Wilderness With mans sworn foe, and heav'ns, who thro' the Air Him to the Temples Roof did fearless bear: But first how he did Heav'ns Commands obey, Baptis'd altho' no crimes to purge away In Jordan's sacred Waves, more pure than they: For now vast Crouds you might at Enon see With the great Son of aged Zachary: Enon and Salim, where rich Iordan falls * Not far remov'd from valiant Bethshan's Walls, [ 170] * And old ••ethabara, where ferrying o'r

Men first arrive upon the distant shore: Here the great Baptist came, who from a Child, His Life had spent in Iuda's fertile wild, Ten thousand little Villas scattering wide Their fruitful Flocks and Fields on every side: Austere he liv'd, remov'd from all resort Of the proud City or the pompous Court: Here tho' he was to a fair Fortune born The Worlds vain Pleasures soon he learnt to scorn: Such humble Cloathing and mean Food he us'd, [ 180] As frugal Nature of her self produc'd; His Robes from the rough Camels shoulders torn Such spoils of Beasts by ancient Hero's worn, Such great Elijah wore, his Food he found Ready prepar'd on every Tree and Ground; And if by chance on his low Table lay A Honey-Comb, 'twas then a festal day: How little frugal Nature will suffice! How hard to please luxurious Avarice! Thus taught the pamper'd World to conquer Sense [ 190] Himself a pattern of strict Abstinence: Severe his Life and Garb, his Words the same, From Heav'n he arm'd with Zeal and Thunder came To rouse a stupid World, abroad he went By Iordan's banks and cry'd aloud Repent! Turn, Israel, turn, and cast thy sins away! Repent before the great and dreadful day! Gloomy and dark as Hell's or Egypt's night, Or only seen in Claps of fearful light. This beauteous Vault above no more the same, [ 200] But like an Oven, hot with deadly flame; 'Tis fed and kindled by th' Almighty's breath Which pleas'd gives life, but angry storms and death: Large flakes of pointed flame wide circling round Shall lick the stubble from the gaping ground: Both Pharisee and Sadducee must go * And bear their Sin in endless worlds of woe: The holy Hyprocrite and Atheist lewd But first you Pharisees a viperous brood! * Cou'd you be e'er mistaken? Cou'd you be [ 210]

Misled with your Infallibility? What strange Caprice did you to good incline? How came you once to shun the Wrath divine? Prest with your Crimes, the Church, the Church, you cry Your meaning Grandure, Wealth, and Policy: Each one a Child of God, all sign'd and seal'd As your Salvation were from Heav'n reveal'd. How long will madly you against the Skies A War maintain, how long believe in Lies? [ 220] Fly Wretches rather, e'r it be too late! For Refuge fly from swift approaching Fate! You're lost if you a moment longer stay, You're safe if now you turn for now you may, Repentance and an holy Life the way. So you'll among those holy Souls have place Rescu'd and sav'd by Heav'ns peculiar grace From this vast ruin, so your longing Eyes Shall see the Sun of Righteousness arise; Arise to close each Mortal Wound within, [ 230] To cure the Poison of that Serpent, Sin: High-rais'd he like the Brazen-Serpent brings Life and Salvation in his healing Wings: None look but live, recovering gasping breath, And wondrous Strength amidst the pangs of Death. These the true promis'd Canaan shall possess, While others perish in the Wilderness; These shall thro' the wide World triumphing go, And by their blood subdue each hell-born Foe; All Lands their sacred Law shall entertain, [ 240] And o'r the Nations the Messiah reign: What strange effects among th' admiring Iews His holy Life and Doctrine did produce Is known to all; each crowding Region hears, Purg'd in blest Jordans Waves, but first in tears: * Those who inwild Perea wander'd wide, Near Iabbock's Ford or Arnon's Streams reside; Succoth and Peniel whose ill-natur'd Pride Brave Ierubball reveng'd when Midian fled; And where before his Flocks old Iacob fed: [ 250] Iabesh where Saul such welcome succours brought,

And Gilboa where he successless fought, Heav'n and his Foes engag'd, and in th' unequal strife He lost the day, his Sons, his Crown, and Life. All who on either bank of Iordan go, Whose Fields his fruitful Waters overflow: Some from Bethsaida far more distant came, Attracted by the Prophets growing Fame: From strong Tiberias some, and some came down From Tabor's Mount and fam'd Bethulia's Town: These from old Shalem, Thebez, Bezek goe, * [ 260] From Pisgah these, and these from Iericho; But thousands from the Royal City come And almost empty leave their Native home, You know how much our Elders did esteem The Baptist, know the message sent to him, And honours paid by our learn'd Sanhedrim. Too well Gamaliel with a sigh reply'd, I know that story and the fatal pride With which his Testimony we deny'd: In vain we saw and heard, for I was sent [ 270] The Truth to try, and still I dread th' event Of our rejecting him; but Sir proceed! He thus—The Baptist now had thousands freed In Iordan's Waves, their Leprosie of Sin First open laid, then wash'd away therein: After the rest our Saviour came, content And pleas'd that such vast crowds before him went! Whom when the Baptist in the stream did see The Divine Spirit soft-whispering this is he; With pious reverence at his Feet he fell [ 280] And haild the undoubted King of Israel: Nor dar'd attempt to purge what knew no Crime But trembling ask'd to be Baptiz'd of him: Our Saviour mild requires him to permit He all perform'd that wiser Heav'n thought fit; Who came the Law and Gospel to fulfil, To do and suffer all his Fathers Will: He yields at length, unwilling and afraid And what he cou'd not comprehend, obey'd: Nor sooner he who came the World to save

[illustration]

The Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist at Jordan.

Had sanctifi'd fair Jordan's Limpid wave By washing there, no sooner from the stream He reach'd the Bank, when, lo! a Heav'nly beam Shot from the Clouds, which modestly remove To give it way, and lo! a wondrous Dove Almost unsufferable to behold, Silver his Breast, his Neck and Wings of Gold Came softly wafted thro' the yielding Air, And whilst he kneel'd in Extasie and Pray'r [ 300] Upon our Saviour's sacred Head did rest At once enlighten'd that and warm'd his Breast; With Grace immeasurable did inspire And fill'd him with his own Celestial fire: Agen the Clouds with lambent Lightning broke, And thus th' All-high in awful Thunder spoke. "Th' Eternal Son of God by Miracles approv'd "Glad Mortals here behold! whom from my Breast belov'd, "I, the Eternal Father full of Mercy gave "To rescue sinful Man, and from just vengeance save. [ 310] All knew the Voice of their Eternal Lord, All heard and knew, and trembled, and ador'd; Prepare to kiss the Son, due honours bring, And o'er his own lov'd Nation hail him King. But ah! for Earthly Thrones he was not born, Here all the Crowns he sought were made of Thorn: Those glitt'ring Toys he cou'd with ease despise, And to the Desart thence the Hero flies, To shun what others often court in vain, Destroy the World and damn themselves to gain: [ 320] A dreadful Wild there is, outstretching wide * Its spacious skirts by fruitful Edom's side, Impervious to the Suns all-cheering light; There reign black horror and perpetual night: Never disturb'd by one intruding Star To guide the weary wandring Traveller: A dark uncomfortable Vault the whole: And underneath here sooty Currents rowl Of dull Bitumen, there their period make And stagnate in some melancholy Lake. [ 330] No Flow'rs on the unlucky Rivage grew,

No Herb or Tree but the black poys'nous Yew, Rough Cypress for sad herses only made, And heavy Ebon casting deadly shade, With Thunder-blasted Oaks— If any where an open Plat was found, Vast Serpents rowl'd along the sandy Ground, Their num'rous Trains; on half-burnt Trunks around Sate Birds obscene, foul Harpyes, Vultures fell, And all the ugly monstrous Forms of Hell; All mischiefs carri'd in their Voice and Face [ 340] Nor could bode more to that unhappy place. Such was the field of battle, such the stage Where our Great Captain did all Hell engage: Rapt, by the sacred Spirit, he thither flies * Ardent t' achieve the glorious Enterprize: Already he his Rebels strength did know Already grapled the redoubted Foe: Who stung with envy, swoln with foolish pride His mighty Rivals force successless try'd; The sacred Mount of God affecting vain [ 350] Transfixt he fell with all his blasted Train, To those uncomfortable Regions where For ever reign Confusion and Despair: Whence sometimes sallying out, the burden'd Air They lash with loathsom Wings, and pleas'd disperse Mischeif and Murder round the Universe: With these their Prince himself had broke his Chain And hardly here less absolute did reign Than in his own sad Realms, since that unhappy fall Which in our luckless Parents lost us all: [ 360] His Fate he knew, and did disdainful dread That the weak womans seed must bruise his head: This deep he now revolv'd with conscious fear; Concluding his long fated-fall was near: Himself wide ranging round, with peircing eyes He much discern'd, and much his watchful spies: From those at Herod's Court in ambush lay, From those who bask'd in the warm beams of day; Who in lone Woods like lustful Satyrs rove, Or Earthly Fiends that Blood and Murder love: [ 370]

What yet had pass'd he heard, and all reserv'd In his dark mind, but had himself observ'd What at the Temple chanc'd, for always there With deep malicious thoughts, and utmost care He watch'd to catch each loose unguarded Pray'r; Which wandring found, before they reach'd the Throne, He seiz'd as his and thought 'em all his own: Alarm'd with all the Wonders heard and seen He Mary's Son did from his Birth begin [ 380] As the great promis'd Seed to hate and fear, But more when he from Iordan's banks did hear By a quick subtle Spirit posted there The famous Baptist did to all declare In no dark Types involv'd, express and plain, The near approach of the Messias's reign: Away he posts in person, unespy'd, And mingled with the Crowd on Iordan's side, Who all Baptiz'd, when Jesus was not found He soars aloft and sweeping wide around [ 390] The fields Triumphant did a while survey, Agen prepar'd to cut his trackless way To Gods high Temple and the sacred Town, Till from his Chariot looking envious down As with a Curse he left 'em, he descry'd The Baptist kneel, the People scatt'ring wide, His dreaded Foe amidst the Waves appear; He trembling saw, and almost dropt for fear; But when he did th' attesting Thunder hear By whose intolerable Terrors driv'n [ 400] Wielded by Michael's arm of old he fled from Heav'n, No more he cou'd endure— But thence precipitate his flight did take Wide swooping down thro' Sodom's Brimstone-lake: So tumbling thro' the Clouds the Vulture flies As at vast distance he the Quarry spies, Struck by the Royal Eagles piercing Eyes: Confus'd and trembling there obscure he lay Nor durst agen ascend, till hated day Forsook the World, and night a covert made [ 410] To hide his shame in her lov'd conscious shade:

Then mounting from the deep with Sulphur crown'd All flaming, cast his glaring Eyes around And gladly wou'd have curst the unhappy ground, But finding 'twas too late, did doubly rave; Then for a Council strait the Signal gave: The Demons croud from ev'ry lonely Grave. Each wretch whom they, possess'd, in triumph led Thro' the polluted Mansions of the dead: The Conclave fills, from Earth and Hell away They hast, proud Belial, Lustful Asmoday: [ 420] Their Nature in their Looks and Forms exprest, And haughty Moloch taller than the rest: Ev'n more enrag'd than when at first he fell Their Prince appear'd, and something worse than Hell, More deadly, more malicious did surprise His Court, nor dar'd they meet his angry Eyes. None durst accost the wayward Tyrant, none Durst speak or look, but trembled round his Throne, Who thus enrag'd began — And are we grown So tamely good, so worthy more than Hell [ 430] We dare not bravely once agen rebel? None Councel, none advise, nor act, but yield Without one parting stroke the glorious Field To this young Conqu'ror? Must our Empire fall And he alone possess the spacious Ball? Forbid it Fate and these right Hands, nor we So long in vain have tasted Liberty: He can but thunder, and long since we knew And felt the worst his angry Bolts can do: Shall Man his Slave so oft his Vengeance dare [ 440] Ev'n while he sues for Peace and offers fair, And we do less, who must of Grace despair? Or will you all forget for what you fell And humbly praise your Conqu'ror ev'n in Hell? Must I forsake and abdicate my Throne And you Heav'ns-Deputy your Saviour own? How else so tame, so silent cou'd you be Nought said or done worthy your selv's or me? Proud Moloch heard, but cou'd no longer bear, Furious he rose, with the same scornful Air [ 450]

That cost him Heav'n— 'Tis well he cries, 'tis well, That he who dares speak thus, is Prince of Hell! Half this, if from an Angel, should have cost His fall from those blest Regions we have lost, Tho' it more deeply sunk me — Are we priz'd No more than basely to be scandaliz'd With feeble Penitence? Can that be born In Hell, which even earthly Tyrants scorn? But time and words are lost, you know we're true [ 460] Sworn Enemies to Heav'n, and Friends to you: —And to convince you, strait such deeds we'll do As Hell shall env' at once, and spred our fame; For late my self from Iordan's Banks I came, Where I a holy Pharisee possest And left my darling Viper in his Breast: Asmodeus too was there, and all the day, Within a Iolly Saducee he lay: In vain it Thunder'd for we both did stay, And mark'd the Son of God whose haunts we know, [ 470] Who thence did to the dreadful Desart go Where Israel wander'd; thither I'll pursue, And nothing want besides Commands from you To crush this dreadful Foe? the Woods I'll fire Nor can he scape but must, if man, expire I' th' circling Flames; if these too weak shou'd prove The solid Earth I'd from its Axis move, Its Bowels to the affrighted Center rive And in the Gulph intomb him yet alive; Or Whirlwinds raise, vast Hills and Rocks displace [ 480] And dash all Pisgah on his mangled Face: He said, and hardly wou'd for Orders stay, Till the grim Prince of Hell obstructs his way, Lifting his Iron-Mace— To me, he cries, Alone belongs this glorious Enterprize: I'll instantly about the great Design Mine be the Glory, as the Danger mine! Heav'n soon shall Mourning wear, all Hell shall joy: Him first I'll tempt to Sin, and then destroy. This said, in hast the sooty Conclave rose, [ 490] And to the Wild disguis'd their Leader goes:

Instruct with wonted guileful Arts, and found Our Saviour lowly prostrate on the Ground: Intent his spotless Pray'r before th' All-high He offers, rapt in holy Extasie; For strength against the dreadful Combat nigh: He ask'd that him we might our pattern make, He ask'd as man, what he as God might take: Soon did the Fiend's vain hopes begin to fail, O'er them that pray he knows he can't prevail; Yet Tempts invisible, and did prepare [ 500] His keenest Darts, all quench'd with Faith and Pray'r, Or driv'n rebated back, or lost in Air. Oft wou'd his Thoughts disorder by the chain Of former Thoughts, but try'd as oft in vain: And with the same success did on him try False hopes and joys and worldly vanity: Objects within; and those before his face, The solitude and horror of the place: Fruitless they fell and all his Labours mock, As storms of Hail against the solid Rock; [ 510] Each rude Assault unmov'd our Saviour bore, His mind still fix'd on Heav'n as 'twas before: The Tempter of his heav'nly Arms afraid With caution first attacks him, whilst he pray'd; But when six Sabbaths now he, prostrate laid, The seventh well worn, at length to faint began, And humbly tho' a God confest the man; When this the Enemy insulting spy'd With secret wicked Ioy, he's mine he cry'd! This Son of God I soon shall Triumph o'er [ 520] With as much ease subdu'd as that before: So much his mortal weakness did despise Almost he'd fallen on without disguise; But soon with deep Serpentine guile represt Those first warm eager thoughts that fill'd his breast: Resolv'd a while incognito to try What strength, or wit, what force and policy He must expect in his new Enemy, E'er open he attack'd him—this to do Round his foul Form thin airy Robes he threw, [ 530]

[illustration]

Christs Temptati••n in the Wilderness

Such as a poor old man might best beseem, And such who e'er had seen had counted him: Lean sallow Checks, hollow'd with cares and age, Dim eyes which did approaching death presage: Mov'd his pale wither'd lips and palsy'd head And to our Saviour thus dissembling said: Hail Son of God by signs from Heav'n approv'd! Great Prophet Hail, by God and men belov'd! Full sixty Springs by Heav'ns peculiar Grace [ 540] Within the borders of this hideous place * Have I remain'd, as holy Essenes use, Far from the harden'd unbelieving Iews; Long since by Revelation warn'd, I thee Like aged Simeon e'er my death should see; And when of late the mighty Baptist came To Iordan's banks whose wondrous life and fame Fill'd all the Wild, me from my Cell he brought And the Messiah him at first I thought: But soon my heighten'd Expectations fell [ 550] When him no Sign no glorious Miracle Attested, which the Angel did reveal Shou'd still attend, and be the Saviour's Seal: This Sign to thee on Iordan's banks was giv'n When the bright Dove and wond'rous Voice from Heav'n At once descended, this amidst the Crowd I saw, and had like Simeon hail'd thee loud Hadst thou not by some pow'r to us unseen Swift to this lonely Desart hurry'd been; Whither with longing eyes, that fain wou'd see [ 560] More near, and weary feet I follow'd thee; But soon lost sight and track, and often crost By diff'rent paths at length my self I lost: Already once since I first wander'd here The silver Moon has fill'd her little year, * And half another now is almost past Since I of any humane Food did tast: On Roots and Leaves and humble Acorns fed I liv'd, nor ask'd the luxury of Bread: With trembling steps oft have I search'd around [ 570] The Forrest, all but this unhappy Ground,

Which sure no humane Foot e'r trac'd before; Oft did I hear within the Lions roar, Oft bones and luckless Carcasses espy Behind some Bush half-torn unburied lie, Of some lost Passenger, and did despair My self to scape or find thee living there. Yet in I prest, if dead just Rites to pay And o'r thy Grave my self lamenting lay: But since my boding fears are yet in vain, Since nothing here that Nature can sustain [ 580] No Fruits, nor Herbs, nor Leaves, nor Roots are found, Nought friend to Life above or under ground: If thou the promis'd hop'd Messia be A Wonder work, and save thy self and me! I else must perish here, and you no less By these wan Looks and fainting Eyes confess; Nor longer wait, but all thy self appear! Exert the God nor pine unpitied here! These stones, (there stones by chance thick scatter'd lay) With speed command, nor can they but obey [ 590] Command them strait the Form of bread t' indue! I ask no more, content as well as you With such mean Fare— Tho' our Forefathers were with Manna fed I only beg for mens, not Angels bread. To whom our Saviour thus, whose piercing Eyes The Fiend discover'd thro' the Saints disguise: Full well can I discern thy black intent And all that's by so fair a semblance meant: The Serpent in the grass full well I spy, [ 600] And to thy first Temptation thus reply: The sacred Oracles all anxious care For Food forbid, and thus 'tis written there. "'Tis not Bread only do's Mans life sustain Nor were the Trees and Herbs all made in vain: The Trees and Herbs did Gods dread Word produce, That these we in extremities might use: These in the neighbouring Woods in plenty grow Tho' here are none, and thither may we go If either needs, nor tempt th' All-high to show [ 610]

A sign where he doth common means afford: Who made the World by his commanding Word; To all things did their proper Natures give, And still preserves those Pow'rs by which we live; Nay the first Cause who all these Causes made Can soon produce th' Effects without their aid: His Word preserves that Soul on him depends, Firm strength divine, and heav'nly Vigour lends, And nourishes to Life that never ends. [ 620] The Fiend did in imperfect Curses vent His rage, and murm'ring thence reluctant went: Thro' dismal gloomy Shades unseen did glide, And for the next assault himself provide. Whilst the true Son of God no shelter found, But weary cold and hungry on the Ground Sweet sleep in vain he courts, for at his head The Tempter env'ing ev'n his homely bed On some hard Rock, returns with ugly dreams Of Precipices vast and pitchy streams, [ 630] Of thoughts morose and vain—The man's distrest * With sinless fears, the God repels the rest. Nor sooner frighted sleep did him forsake, And he from short imperfect slumbers wake, When distant gath'ring storms he heard on high, And Infant Thunders mustering round the Sky, Which to that Forrest all their forces led, With hideous crack discharging o'r his head: The Clouds the Signal take: and when a while they lowr'd * "From many a horrid rift abortive powr'd [ 640] Fierce rain, which did with sheets of flame conspire, Like Egypts dreadful Plague: water with fire In ruin reconcil'd; nor slept the winds * Where them inclos'd their airy Leader binds "Within their stony Caves, but rush'd abroad, And swept with saily wings thro' Heav'ns high-road: * "From the four hinges of the World they ran, "To the vex'd Wilderness, which soon began To feel their mighty rage; there scatt'ring wide * Disrobe the beauteous trees of all their pride

And Earth of them, their deep-fang'd roots gave way, [ 650] And on the ground vast trunks dismember'd lay: The Sky-saluting Pine, and sturdy Oak, Proof against all but Heav'ns-allmighty stroke, Still proof till now — Which had a thousand tempest's rage disdain'd, And there coeval with the World remain'd; In vain they plead their long prescription now: "Loaden with stormy blasts their stiff-necks bow, Now this, now that way sway'd, and all around Like Earthquakes with Convulsions heave the ground; [ 660] Till fiercer blasts them from the Center tear, And dart like chaff or stubble round the air. Now Hills of Sand came rolling with the wind Death-threat'ning, now the solid Rock behind On which as chanc'd, our Lord his head reclin'd In horrid Clifts by bellowing Earth-quakes rent Part sunk abrupt, part from red Volcans sent Huge glowing stones, which thick as sparks aspire, Tempestuous smoak, and flame and waves of fire: Sharp sleet and driving-rain the while did pow'r [ 670] Direct against his face a rushing show'r; Now doubly forc'd by the impetuous wind, Now hizzing in th' enraged flames behind: "From the rude storm ill wast thou shrouded then O patient Son of God — Birds, beasts, and men Were now, than thee with better shelter blest; Men houses have, Beasts dens, each bird a nest But thou no place thy weary'd Limbs to rest. Yet only thou unshaken didst remain And hells Artillery was spent in vain; [ 680] Tho' still the Fiend do's his vain Arts repeat New malice gath'ring from each new defeat: The Flames were quench'd the winds and tempest fell, At his Command, all dark as his own hell: No sounds are heard, or Objects now appear, A gloomy silence reigning every where; A while it reign'd but with more horrid noise Was soon disturb'd, the loud lamenting Voice

Of all that mortal breasts can move to fear [ 690] At distance thro' the trees our Lord did hear: Shrill shreeks for help that still approacht more near: Of Rapes and murders the redoubled cry, (While glitt'ring Swords he thro' the Shades cou'd spy,) Then interrupted groans, such theirs who lie In Lifes weak twilight, gasping thick for breath, And strugling in the Agonies of Death: Or, sculking close behind some Bush or tree He by the gloworms glimm'ring light cou'd see Fierce shaggy Ruffians, hoary Villains they [ 700] Appear'd, which hunted more for blood than prey: Some their strong steely Iav'lings poise, the rest Their Arrows nick, and level at his breast: The Bow-string twangs, out flies the airy dart, But can no more affright, than pierce his heart; That and the tempters curses lost in wind, As all his other terrors yet behind. Each hideous Beast which once to Eden came From the first Adam to receive their name The Fiend produc'd, the second to affright, [ 710] In the dead mazes of that dreadful night: * All that with Noah hosted, all and more, For Sun-burnt Afric sent her monstrous store; Here from the slimy banks of fertile Nile Came slow, the vast amphibious Crocodile: Who on Cyrene's Sands do's fearless see, And with him bring Serpents as large as he: The false Hyena's face was here discern'd, Ev'n more than what She Apes in flatt'ry learn'd: There the fell Wolf and frightful Panther came, [ 720] With the stern Ounce whose bloody Eyes shot Flame Across the Grove, the nimble Tyger too; All hideous forms, some false and others true. For many a Fiend with dreadful shape and face, Had mixt themselves among the brutal race; And when the Beasts by Nature fierce and wild Soon at our Saviours sight grew tame and mild; These pusht 'em on, and urg'd with all their pow'r To seize their hated Foe, and him devour:

The roaring Herd himself th' Arch-Traytor led, And like a Leopard darted at his head [ 730] His spotted Form, but when the pow'rs of Hell He found too weak to storm that Cittadel, "Strait into trackless Air dissolv'd he fell: Two other Fiends like fierce Iackalls did bay * And warn'd the kingly Lyon to his prey; He stately stalks along, prepar'd t' engage, And lashes his firm sides with dreadful rage: But when he Iuda's princely Lyon saw, Struck with a fear unknown and wondrous awe, His angry ster he gently pacify'd, [ 740] And lick'd his hands and couch'd him by his side; Then soon at them he leaps that brought him there Who mock his anger fleeting into air. Fearless our Saviour stood, nor Beasts nor Night Nor those dread Forms which guilty man affright Once mov'd him, tho' dire Spectres now invade, And glide with double horror thro' the shade: With flaming Torches here and Flambos high Erect, a Corps at distance passes by; There shreeking Ghosts glare cross, and face him there, [ 750] With bloody breasts, fix'd eyes, dishevel'd hair; Last, wicked Spirits in monstrous Forms infest, And shake their fiery Darts against his breast: In vain their number, rage and yells increase, "He sits unmov'd in calm and sinless peace. * Thus past the night till Phosphor's cheerful Ray Warn'd guilty Ghosts and glim'ring stars away; And gently beckons on the rising day: Whilst, e'er the Sun had shown his radiant face Our Lord forsakes th' uncomfortable place [ 760] Of his so long abode, and as it rose, Hungry and cold to a near Hillock goes, Bending to East, there dropping by the storm His Robes to dry and frozen Limbs to warm: Him did the Tempter impudent, pursue, Resolv'd to attack, tho' well his strength he knew In glorious form accosts him, rob'd in Light, And welcoms from the horrors of the Night,

Welcoms with false devoir, on bended knee, [ 770] And parasitical Humility, From that sad place where they encount'red last, Where he so many tedious hours had past; Nor any longer wou'd himself disown, So oft thro' all his thin disguises known; Yet veils his canker'd spite in semblance fair, What's lost in force, he'd now by fraud repair: Then with feign'd show of pity thus he said; Tho' us Mankind as Enemies upbraid, Them in th' extreams of Life we often aid; [ 780] By Oracles important Truths decide, And Tables for the poor and old provide: If this, O Son of God! for them we do, What service can be thought too great for you? Tho' lately you, discourt'ous, me deny'd, When your Divinity I wou'd have try'd; Did me so modest a request refuse, Nor Bread, for that alone I ask'd, produce; No Niggard of my Gifts, thou soon shallt see How richly I'll unask'd provide for thee: [ 790] He said and stampt,—strait from the Ground arise All Trees that cou'd compose a Paradice: The stately Oak, the sailing beauteous Pine, Th' eternal Cedar, fit for Works divine; The shady Chesnut, and the Walnut fair * The Lover-Myrtle, Lotus chast and rare, From sunburnt Affric brought and planted there: * The virtuous Palm, which do's by pressures rise And spite of weight, triumphant mean the Skys: The Cherrys next their blushing Lips incline; [ 800] The gold cheek'd Quince with looks and smell divine. The silken Peach with noble flavour blest, The Plumb, whose name Armenian fields confest: The juicy Mulberry which fables feign Two Lovers Blood with purple dy did stain: Over their heads up springs the mantling Vine Nor needs its husband Elm whereon to twine; So large the Trunk, so wide the Branches rose They of themselves long leavy Vaults compose:

But yet for Ornament did not disdain Woodbines and Eglantine to entertain: [ 810] This humble, stoops and decks the Arbours side, That gawdier, mounts aloft with decent pride; With the rich clust'ring Grapes so close entwin'd, That Fruit and Flow'rs at once the gath'rers find. A little more remov'd but plain to view In low warm Groves the golden Orange grew: The silver Limons next, and next to these The rich Pomgranate, cross the stormy Seas Well worth the pains, from Punic Carthage brought: * The Ground beneath like a fair Carpet wrought [ 820] With various Flow'rs, so regular and true The Figures seem'd, and yet so careless too, As Art and Nature both the Landskip drew. Around the place, all neatly border'd, grows The Lily of the Vale with Sharons Rose: Nard, Camphire, Iassmin, ev'ry fragrant sweet Which did in God's fair Spouses Garden meet: Here mossy Benches, voluntary rose, Where the sweet Musk and blew-ey'd Vi'let grows; I'th' midst a Table did it self present [ 830] Loaden with each choice dish that might content An hungry Epicure; a vast wild Boar The middle fill'd, the rest was cover'd o'er With Dishes pil'd, which court smell, tast, and sight, With various show and order exquisite. From distant Regions to the Banquet came Sea, Earth, and Air's Provision, wild and tame, Each Beast of sportive chase, and Fowl of game. "Each Fish that do's in Sea or River dwell Or Pond; or smooth, or arm'd with scale or shell: [ 840] All that Bethsaida's well-wrought Nets cou'd take * In Air, or Desarts wild, or neighbouring Lake. What crown'd the rest on a neat side-board nigh Vast stores of noble Wines stood sparkling by; In Christal Walls, how dangerous to behold? Or Massy Goblets wrought of Ophirs Gold. Bright Youths and brighter Maids wait cheerful round, Their flowing hair with od'rous Carlands Crown'd,

A Charger this, where Golden Fruit did shine [ 850] Supports; that holds a Flask of generous Wine; All pleas'd with the fair Office they enjoy'd, And look'd as if they wish'd to be employ'd. Two lovely Nymphs— Whose Charms what ever's Mortal far excel, Lovely as ever Tempted Man to Hell, At once shot Darts from their false Eyes and Tongue And to their warbling Lutes harmonious sung:

Say, what Songs shall we prepare For both Worlds immortal Heir? [ 860] How our Ioy our Love express In this Barren Wilderness? Honey from thy Feet did flow, O'er thy Head fair Arbors grow; At thy sight fierce Beasts grew mild, And the barren Desart smil'd. Welcom, welcom, welcom thrice To this happy Paradice! Here no Serpent need you fear, No forbidden Fruit is here. [ 870] Hark the Amorous Turtles call! Hark! the silver Waters fall! And a gentle spicy breese Whispers thro' the rustling Trees: These, the rugged Tempest o'er, Storms and Whirlwinds heard no more, These the Hero all invite To soft Love and gay Delight. Safe and friendly all appears; We thy gentle Ministers! [ 880] We this Food before thee plac'd, Nor disdain to sit and tast!

Thus they, back fell each weak rebated Dart, This reach'd our Saviour's Ears, but not his Heart: No dang'rous softness there crept slily in, Not the first Embryo-motion of a Sin: The Tempter their design as vain pursues,

Earnest, their Invitation he renews; To whom our Lord—Perish thy gifts with thee! Alike I scorn thy spite and flattery: How kind a Friend thou art to man and me [ 890] Me, the last Night has shown, man's Off-spring, all Those mischiefs waiting his unhappy Fall: Those Oracles which thou so high dost prise What are they but ambiguous specious Lyes? That Food with which thou dost thy Vassals treat, And make each Wretch his own Damnation Eat, Are either fancy'd Viands, shap'd of Air, As thy lean Hags with such delusive fare Oft feasted but still famish'd, plainly shew; Or else ill-got if solid they, and true: [ 900] The richest fare thou canst thy Friends afford The stol'n remains of some Luxurious board: Such this, set out with so much pomp and state Nor can thy pow'r one single grain create: * "To whom thus answer'd Satan male-content If all's suspect which freely I present, What follows you by causless Iealousie Deserve—tis Natures voice friendly to be With Friends and dreadful to my Enemy: * And thus I give what you refus'd er'e while [ 910] "To such as dearly earn'd the far-fetch'd spoil! He said, strait Meat and Table disappear'd, Fowl Harpy's Wings and ugly Talons heard; Each greedy of the Feast a part receiv's And in their room uncleanly Ordure leav's: * Soon then th' Arch-Traytor all himself appear'd; Each monstrous Form that Mortals ever fear'd Successive he puts on, our Lord t' affright; No more a glorious Angel rob'd in Light, Humane no more, a hideous Beak his Nose, [ 920] His cank'red Breast blew poys'nous scales inclose; A Dragons horrid Train behind him grows, A Dragons Batt-like Wings he did display; And underneath his hands, no hands were they, But pounces fit for such a Bird of prey, In which our Saviour snatcht, he swift did bear,

And with him soars sublime thro' yielding Air; As some fierce Hawk whose cruel Talons strook A harmless Dove near Cherith's silver Brook, [ 930] Then o'er the neighb'ring Fields with his weak prey Wheeling, triumphant, cuts his pathless way: Thus did the Prince of all the Airy host, Who back from distant Paran's desart Coast Hurry's our Lord, so his great Fathers Will, O'er Bozra's Rock and Edom's fruitful Hill, In whose West-bounds to Moserah they come, And Hor, renown'd for holy Aaron's Tomb: * Near Sodom's dreadful Lake arriv'd, in hast * Twixt Halak they, and dire Acrabbim past: [ 940] Kadesh and Zin, to th' left behind they leave, Them Debirs airy Regions next receive; * Now Debir 'tis, once Kiriath-sephir nam'd, For valiant Othniel's dear-bought Conquest fam'd: Empire and Love his Triumphs did divide He humbled first the Canaanitish pride, Then won the charming Achsah for his Bride. Here the miraculous sight— Some learn'd Astronomer the People show'd As o'er the Town, he mark'd their airy road: [ 950] Men, Matrons, Children, Maids, all run to see With hands and eyes uplift the Prodigie: Short was the sight, they're in a moment gon To Maon, Ziph, and woody Ieshimon; Hebron to th' left, which twice a Crown did grace, And more remov'd, descry that cursed place Which held of old the faithless fore-skin'd Race: Gaza by Bezor's brook, and Gerar fair, Proud Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron, where * While stood Philistia's state, th' Arch-fiend abhorr'd [ 960] With Temple and with Altars was ador'd; Who next o'er Libnah's walls his course did steer, * And leaving on the left strong Lachish near, They Tekoa's Wood below and Bethlem spy; * Then shooting swift o'er Saveth's Vale descry Royal Ierusalem, whose Southern bound By sacred Zion's beauteous Turrets crown'd

Where pleasant Millo lies outstretch'd, they past * Whose walls by Siloam's gentle Waves are washt; Which thence declining, into Kidron pour By Sol'mon's royal Seat and Ophel's Tow'r; * [ 970] Not ev'n to curse the Town th' Arch-rebel stay'd, But soon from thence our patient Lord convey'd T' his Fathers house, that spatious Temple, where All Israel wait with Sacrifice and Pray'r: Near Herod's lofty Tow'r he with him fell, * And drops him on the highest Pinacle; On saily Wings then flutt'ring by his side Him, grinning, thus accosts with scornful pride. "There stand, if stand thou canst; thy skill 'twill ask: —Or wou'dst thou undertake a nobler Task: [ 980] Wou'dst thou th' unquestion'd Son of God be hail'd, (Which much I doubt, since I've so long prevail'd On thy weak mortal frame) below thee see Vast Crowds, who leave their Pray'rs to look at thee! Thee from you Court the vested Priests perceive, * Their morning Sacrifice unfinish'd leave; Whilst from the next, with lifted eyes and hands * Thy own lov'd Israel, gazing on thee stands; And in the Third, thick-kneeling at the Gate * As much amaz'd the humble Gentiles wait; [ 990] Wou'd Victims pay, struck with religious fear, And think they see some God or Hero here: Now wou'dst thou set thy injur'd Nation free As did of old the valiant Maccabee, Now is the time, the golden moment now; Fate waits thy Will, a greater Hero thou: No more these marks of Idol-bondage bear, But drive you Eagle, proudly perching there Transfix'd with his own Thunder thro' the Air. And see Occasion courts to mighty things [ 1000] Well-worthy thee and thy long Race of Kings: Below thee to the right direct thine eyes, And see Antonia's Tow'r unguarded lies; On th' other side regardless now of War The Roman Youth, unbent, and sporting there In Herod's spatious Amphitheatre:

[illustration]

King David the Psalmist.

Or else by Zions Daughters beauty won, Dropping their Arms already they 're undon. Now may'st thou with success thy Title own; [ 1010] Now bravely strike and be for ever known! Thee then if ought the sense of Glory warms, If Incense pleases, adoration charms; Or what moves more, if glad thou wou'dst fullfil What's all thy pleasure, thy great Fathers will; Who made it Fate, declaring long before, Thee Men, thee ev'n his Angels should adore; Plunge hence in sight of all th' admiring Town, And in the Altars flames waft softly down! So shall the wond'ring World due honours bring [ 1020] At once adore the God, and hail the King. Nor canst thou, if true Heir of Earth and Skies, Suspect th' event of this bold Enterprize; For thus, while with his Notes fair Zion rung, To his Harp inspir'd thy great Fore-father sung. Blest is the Man whose sure defence Firm Faith and spotless Innocence! Thrice blest, who compast round with Hosts of Foes Can on the everlasting Arms repose! Nor will that God whom thou thy hope dost make [ 1030] Refuse to hear thy gasping Cry: Nor will he helpless let thee die; Nor will he thy Protection e'er forsake! See with what hast the blessed Spirits above At his Commands fly circling round, And make thy Dwelling sacred ground! See with what hast they to thy succour move! With what officious Care and tender Love! These, above, soft-hov'ring o'er, These behind, and these before, [ 1040] Thy glorious Guard de Cor? Thee these gentle Spirits shall bear Unhurt thro' yielding Air, On their soft Wings, and set thee lightly down Least thou sho'dst crush thy foot on some relentless stone.

He said and stopt,—with meekness in his Eyes Temper'd severe, thus short our Lord replies: As plain tis Writ.— When murm'ring Israel went thro' Paran's Coasts, "Thou shalt not Tempt thy God, the Lord of Hosts, To whom the Fiend, tho' oft his force he'd try'd [ 1050] Repuls'd, thus impudent, agen reply'd: Less firmness cou'd I not expect to find In one who owns such an exalted mind: These petty Crowns with Iustice you disdain Who over all the World deserve to reign, Come with me then one airy Journey more, And see what Gifts I've yet reserv'd in store! Nor sooner had he thus dissembling said But snatching swift he thence our Lord convey'd O'er lofty Olivet, who soon below [ 1060] Enshemesh sees, and beauteous Iericho; * Thence lay their trackless road directly on, Gilgal to th' left, and ancient Bohan's stone To'th' right they leave, and thence as swift proceed O'er Iordan's stream, nor ford not ferry need; Which past sublime, they on its Eastern side The ruins of Ed's doubtful Altar spy'd, * Near Adam and Zaretans ancient Town, Not far from whence he sets our Saviour down On Pisgah mount, whence long before he knew [ 1070] Some courteous Angel did to Moses shew Canaans blest Land on Jordan's either side, Whilst wrapt in Clowds, the sly Seducer pry'd And learn'd the wond'rous Art, the skill he learn'd By which far distant Objects are discern'd; Yet to th' Invention adds, Experience gain'd By time, part truly shown, tho' more was feign'd: With Mimic skill did aptly first prepare Figures exactly wrought of pliant Air; Then gave 'em Form, with Colours gilt the whole, * [ 1080] And where they needed fill'd with secret Soul. Towns, Cities, Kingdoms, Bird, and Beast, and Man All fitly rang'd, the Tempter thus began: Well have we speeded by my Care and Skill

O'er field and sedgy brook, and dale and hill; * Conducted with no injury but fear To Moab's plains and this fair station here: Whence cast thine eyes around and see what e'er The World can boast of excellent or fair [ 1090] Of great or good! what e'er thou see'st is mine, And at an easie rate shall all be thine. West bending to the South, beneath thee, see The Desart and the happy Araby! Those Trains of Men and Beasts which strike thine Eyes Rich-loaden Caravans of Gold and Spice; * Which Ishmael's wealthy Off-spring far away Thro' those vast Sands from Persia's Gulf convey To Zoan's fertile fields, and thence disperse * The wealthy Traffick of the Universe: [ 1100] Still more to South vast Lubim's Desarts see! Nor there a Kingdom will I offer thee; * Tho' proud of Golden Sands and Groves of Spice * They their parch'd Country think a Paradice: From those wide Worlds let thy lost eye retire And see if ought there is can please thee nigher! To the great Western Ocean turn thine eyes, Where many a beauteous Island scatter'd lies Crete, Cyprus, Rhodes—but thou shalt these despise; * Ev'n fair Trinacria too thou shalt disdain [ 1110] Whose three sharp Points defie the roaring Main: To North of which behold you lovely Plain * Washt by the sounding Sea on either side * Which thro' the midst a Ledge of Hills divide! See to the South, not far within the Land * Near a fair Stream a Royal City stand; On seven small pleasant Hills divinely built! A thousand lofty Turrets richly gilt She boasting shows, and climing over all On that steep Rock, the glitt'ring Capitol: [ 1120] 'Tis Rome the Mistress of the World you see, Which pleas'd shall bend its haughty Neck to thee: * Eternal Rome, which thee her Lord shall own * And raise thee to the Purple and the Throne: Or wou'dst thou aim at something worthier praise;

By thine own arms a mighty Empire raise; Over you clowdy mountains with me go Whose Tops all horrid with eternal snow; And see that lovely Plain outstretcht below! 'Twixt where Garumna's waters gently creep, * And rapid Rhene runs foaming to the deep; * [ 1130] Wash'd by the Brittish and Ligustick Seas; And by yon mighty Hills, (the Pyrenees From old Tradition them the Natives call,) Fenc'd to the South,— The fam'd Transalpine Gaul! The people daring, curious, active, brave, Yet will be slaves themselves while others they enslave: * Their diff'rent Tribes thou by my help mayst gain, * Unite 'em all and in Lutetia reign: Nor this fair chance refuse till 'tis too late, For if aright I scann'd the rolls of Fate [ 1140] Here shall in after-days a Prince arise Who tho' thy Name he bears will thee despise, And aid the banners of thine Enemies: Nor will like thee my proffer'd help disdain, But gladly by my Arts and Arms will reign: I'll make him Great, whoever dares rebel, Great as my self, enthron'd and crown'd in Hell. Or wou'dst thou chuse a less luxuriant Soil See in the Oceany on fair Western Isle, Whose three sharp points th' insulting Waves divide! * [ 1150] See with what beauteous Rivers 'tis supply'd! How rich the happy Fields thro' where they glide! Well knew the old Phenicians that bless'd place: * Enur'd to Pain, there lives an hardy race; Daring as Virtues self, for conquest made; "Peace but their Recreation, War their Trade. Jealous of Liberty they chains refuse, Fair Death before inglorious Life they chuse; Force cannot bend, but kindness may improve, And mildly melt their gen'rous warmth to Love: [ 1160] From one they love they never can retire, But wade thro' Seas of blood and Walls of Fire: These may thy Goodness and thy Wisdom charm, Thy heav'nly Eloquence their rage disarm:

Polish the rugged mass, their Gold refine, And make 't in its own native Lustre shine; The gentle Arts of Peace implanting there, Well worthy thy best Industry and Care. Or woud'st thou rather them by Force obtain, [ 1170] By Laws unbridled, absolutely reign, As likes thee best thou shall the Scepter gain: Tho' that must cost us blood— See gath'ring there Upon the Gallic side a hovering War * Refug'd Androgeus to the Throne to bear! Of Horse and Foot the dusty-squadrons move, Their skill they try, and Piles and Iavelins prove: Charge, and retreat, and wheel and charge agen: * Huge weighty Cataphracts, and Iron men With other Troops commix'd, whose arms more light, [ 1180] To change fair Albions cliffs to red from white: If they go there, they must expect to fight! * For cross the Morine Seas (nor Sail nor Oar * Our passage needs,) on the Rutupian shore Near Dubris point cov'ring the blacken'd strand See there a thousand Chariots plough the Sand! Ten thousand Warriers trebled, mustring near, Each arm'd with Dart and Sword and knotty Spear. Heark with what eager Shouts they rend the Skies In hope to grapple soon their Enemies! [ 1190] Yon milk-white-Steed, now stately trots around, Now paws the Sand and beats the ecchoing Ground; Proud of its weight, its Riders Glory shares, The great, the brave Cassibelan it bears. What diff'rent Int'rests he together ties: What Worlds he arms 'gainst Britains Enemies! * Soul of the League and Head of the Allies. Tho' Rome's proud Gen'ral's all the VVorld esteem None ev'r coud think, or speak, or act like him; In Counsel cool, in Action brave and warm, [ 1200] * Pallas his Head directs, and Mars his Arm: Pursues unweary'd what he undertakes, Ev'n of ill-Fortune just advantage makes? Yet that he's Great he hardly seems to know, Altho', except himself, all think him so.

Ev'n I must praise him, yet if thou to me, I'll make him bend and homage pay to thee. Thus have I offer'd what the world can boast Of Rich or Great upon the Western Coast: But ah! how little have I yet reveal'd, To what's behind the wealthier East conceal'd. [ 1210] Nor will I, in the passage, ask thy Eyes For Dammesek, that earthly Paradise; * Nor stay thee long by fair Euphrates side, * Tho' there the Roman and the Parthian pride This instant friendly meet, in you small Isle * And Herod both attempts to reconcile: Brave Artaban is he who highest there Is plac'd— Observe his great, his warlike air! Sprung from the old Arsacidae * Much less will we in those wide regions stay [ 1220] Where mighty Indus headlong cuts its way, Thro' whose vast Currents Alexander hurl'd * Some Desarts won, and thought h' had all the World: Still further on to' utmost Eastern bound Direct thine Eye— "Where no more World is found: Wide Fields, rich Towns, tall Groves, fair Rivers see, Here, Son of God, 's a Country worthy thee? No Histories as yet its Name have shown, To Rome alike, and fabling Greece unknown. * 'Tis China call'd, unnumber'd Millions there, [ 1230] Who live so well, th' almost deserve thy care: Pious and good, mild and ingenuous they, One King, one God, those spacious realms obey. * There Arts and Arms in such perfection be, * As this cold Western World did never see: You River which against the Temple glides * And thence exact in two vast streams divides. That Bridge, prodigious, hanging in the air, That more prodigious Wall outstretching there; Wild Magogs's wand'ring off-spring to restrain, [ 1240] Tho' oft it tries to curb their rage in vain, All these th' effect of industry and pain, All mortal works, altho' they hardly less Than some divine Artificer confess.

* There reigns a peaceful Prince, who, did he see Thy Virtue, gladly wou'd submit to thee, And hold his Kingdom as thy Deputy. More woud'st thou yet? from my exhaustless store I've shown thee all this World, but yet have more: Yet farther Worlds. For still more Northward see Bending to East, what num'rous Droves there be Marching in haste, a potent Colony * For a new World; from those I'll Subjects raise [ 1410] Which shall be mine to long succeeding days: * See that small Strait already cover'd o'r, Already have they reach'd the happy Shore, One of my menial Spirits walks before: * First strikes that mighty Islands Western strand, And safe conducts 'em to their destin'd Land: Look not with partial Eyes, and you'll confess Canaan itself 's to this a Wilderness: A beauteous Face of Nature yet unseen, The Flow'rs still fresh, the Trees are ever green; [ 1420] Trees ever since the Worlds Creation, grown, Delicious Fruits of Tasts and Names unknown! You'd Eshcol's Grapes despise, if these I'd bring: * No Winter there, there reigns eternal Spring: Hither, lest me my Subjects shou'd disown At your approach, you all and I have none; This chosen few I hither did convey Where I'll enjoy an undisputed sway. This promis'd Land I frankly gave, nor I Am always envious, nor do always lye: [ 1430] Nor from my Slaves large Tribute ask, content With homage paid, and just acknowledgment: Me Prince o'th' airy Host thy Father made, Whom ever since have Spirits and Storms obey'd▪ God of this World by him himself I'm stil'd, And, like a God, I'm placable and mild To those adore me— No uneasie task! Yet this is all for all the World I ask; Nay take both Worlds— here I'll erect thy Throne, From East to West sway this vast Globe alone!

This only shall the fair Condition be [ 1440] From us, as God, accept it on thy knee, And as we're Heav'ns, be thou our Deputy! Unmov'd, our Lord till then the Tempter bore, But when he thus blasphem'd, wou'd hear no more. He lets thro his weak humane Nature shine, As Sol thro' Clouds, one Ray of the Divine: With this he drove the wicked Tempter thence, When thus he'd said— Blasphemer get thee hence! Thy time's elaps'd — Too much I heard before, But now thy arrogance will bear no more: [ 1450] 'Tis writ— "The Lord thy God alone adore! That God whose Vengeance thou woud'st scape in vain, Who black Blasphemers dooms to endless Pain. Enrag'd, confus'd, defeated, cursing fell, Gnawing his Tongue, the baffl'd Prince of Hell: Such Looks and Words he cou'd longer bear, His short-liv'd World's dissolv'd and lost in Air; And down he sinks blaspheming in despair: Did thence to th' howling Wilderness retire, Born in a dusky Globe of Smoak and Fire. [ 1460]

The End of the Third Book.

Notes

• Psalm 104.20, 23.
• John 3.2.
• John 3.2.
• v. 3.
• 16.
• Matth. 11.25.
• Psal. 51.10.
• Ezek. 11.9, 18, 21.
• John 3.12.
• 13.
• 16, 17.
• Isaiah 9.6.
• John 3.18, 19, 20.
• Mat. 3. ult.
• John 3.23.
• Matt. 3.1.
• Matt. 3.4.
• 2. Kings 1.8.
• Matt. 3.4.
• Matt. 11.18.
• Matt. 3.2.
• Mal. 4.1.
• Matt. 23.33. Luke 3.7.
• Matth. 3. Luke 37.
• Matth. 3 8.
• Mal. 4.2.
• Num. 21.9.
• Numb. 32.24, 25. Heb. 3.17.
• Matth. 3.2.
• Judges 6.8, 16, 17. Gen. 33: 17.
• 1. Sam. last chap.
• Joshua 3.15.
• John 1.44.
• Matt. 3 5.
• John 1.19.
• Matt. 3.13.
• John 1.33.
• Matt. 3.14.
• The Baptism.
• Matt. 3.16.
• Psal. 68.13.
• Gen. 3. Rom. 5.12.
• Gen. 3.15.
• The Tempta∣tion.
• Matt. 4.2.
• Luke 3. ult.
• Matth 4.4. Deut. 8.3.
• Mark 1.13. Gen. 2.19, 20.
• Cantic. 2.2.
• Cantic. 1.12.14. Cantic. 3.14, 15, 16.
• Prov. 23.3.
• Num. 20.22.
• Judg. 1.12.
• 2 Kings 1.2.
• Matt. 4.5.
• Vid. Notes on Lib. 2.
• Vid. Joseph Antiqu.
• Heb. 1.6.
• Psal. 91.1.
• 2.3.
• 11.
• Deut. 6.16.
• Matt. 4.7.
• Josh. 15.6.
• Josh. 22.24.
• Josh. 3.16.
• Deut. 34.2.
• Matt. 4.8.
• Gen. 37.25.
• Ephes. 2.2.
• 2 Cor. 4.4,
• Matth. 4.10.
• Ibid. v. 11.