， THE ARGUMENT 小？说网 raphael at the request of adam relates how and wherefore this world was first created； that god； after the expelling of satan and his angels out of heaven； declard his pleasure to create another world and other creatures to dwell therein； sends his son with glory and attendance of angels to perform the work of creation in six dayes： the angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof； and his reascention into heaven。 ．． Paradise Lost Ⅶ1 生？ descend from heavn urania； by that name if rightly thou art calld； whose voice divine following； above th olympian hill i soare； above the flight of pegasean wing。 the meaning； not the name i call： for thou ＇ 5 ＇ nor of the muses nine； nor on the top of old olympus dwellst； but heavnlie borne； before the hills appeerd； or fountain flowd； thou with eternal wisdom didst converse； wisdom thy sister； and with her didst play ＇ 10 ＇ in presence of th almightie father； pleasd with thy celestial song。 up led by thee into the heavn of heavns i have presumd； an earthlie guest； and drawn empyreal aire； thy tempring； with like safetie guided down ＇ 15 ＇ return me to my native element： least from this flying steed unreind； （as once bellerophon； though from a lower clime） dismounted； on th aleian field i fall erroneous there to wander and forlorne。 ＇ 20 ＇ half yet remaines unsung； but narrower bound within the visible diurnal spheare； standing on earth； not rapt above the pole； more safe i sing with mortal voice； unchangd to hoarce or mute； though falln on evil dayes； ＇ 25 ＇ on evil dayes though falln； and evil tongues； in darkness； and with dangers past round； and solitude； yet not alone； while thou visitst my slumbers nightly； or when morn purples the east： still govern thou my song； ＇ 30 ＇ urania； and fit audience find； though few。 but drive farr off the barbarous dissonance of bacchus and his revellers； the race of that wilde rout that tore the thracian bard in rhodope； where woods and rocks had eares ＇ 35 ＇ to rapture； till the savage clamor dround both harp and voice； nor could the muse defend her son。 so fail not thou； who thee implores： for thou art heavnlie； shee an empty dreame。 ．． Paradise Lost Ⅶ2 小！说 say goddess； what ensud when raphael； ＇ 40 ＇ the affable arch…angel； had forewarnd adam by dire example to beware apostasie； by what befell in heaven to those apostates； least the like befall in paradise to adam or his race； ＇ 45 ＇ chargd not to touch the interdicted tree； if they transgress； and slight that sole mand； so easily obeyd amid the choice of all tastes else to please thir appetite； though wandring。 he with his consorted eve ＇ 50 ＇ the storie heard attentive； and was filld with admiration； and deep muse to heare of things so high and strange； things to thir thought so unimaginable as hate in heavn； and warr so neer the peace of god in bliss ＇ 55 ＇ with such confusion： but the evil soon drivn back redounded as a flood on those from whom it sprung； impossible to mix with blessedness。 whence adam soon repeald the doubts that in his heart arose： and now ＇ 60 ＇ led on； yet sinless； with desire to know what neerer might concern him； how this world of heavn and earth conspicious first began； when； and whereof created； for what cause； what within eden or without was done ＇ 65 ＇ before his memorie； as one whose drouth yet scarce allayd still eyes the current streame； whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites； proceeded thus to ask his heavnly guest。 great things； and full of wonder in our eares； ＇ 70 ＇ farr differing from this world； thou hast reveald divine interpreter； by favour sent down from the empyrean to forewarne us timely of what might else have bin our loss； unknown； which human knowledg could not reach： ＇ 75 ＇ for which to the infinitly good we owe immortal thanks； and his admonishment receave with solemne purpose to observe immutably his sovran will； the end of what we are。 but since thou hast voutsaft ＇ 80 ＇ gently for our instruction to impart things above earthly thought； which yet concernd our knowing； as to highest wisdom seemd； deign to descend now lower； and relate what may no less perhaps availe us known； ＇ 85 ＇ how first began this heavn which we behold distant so high； with moving fires adornd innumerable； and this which yeelds or fills all space； the ambient aire； wide interfusd imbracing round this florid earth； what cause ＇ 90 ＇ movd the creator in his holy rest through all eternitie so late to build in chaos； and the work begun； how soon absolvd； if unforbid thou maist unfould what wee； not to explore the secrets aske ＇ 95 ＇ of his eternal empire； but the more to magnifie his works； the more we know。 ．co Paradise Lost Ⅶ3 ！ and the great light of day yet wants to run much of his race though steep； suspens in heavn held by thy voice； thy potent voice he heares； ＇ 100 ＇ and longer will delay to heare thee tell his generation； and the rising birth of nature from the unapparent deep： or if the starr of eevning and the moon haste to thy audience； night with her will bring ＇ 105 ＇ silence； and sleep listning to thee will watch； or we can bid his absence； till thy song end； and dismiss thee ere the morning shine。 thus adam his illustrious guest besought： and thus the godlike angel answerd milde。 ＇ 110 ＇ this also thy request with caution askt obtaine： though to recount almightie works what words or tongue of seraph can suffice； or heart of man suffice to prehend？ yet what thou canst attain； which best may serve ＇ 115 ＇ to glorifie the maker； and inferr thee also happier； shall not be withheld thy hearing； such mission from above i have receavd； to answer thy desire of knowledge within bounds； beyond abstain ＇ 120 ＇ to ask； nor let thine own inventions hope things not reveald； which th invisible king； onely omniscient hath s