quote · Legacy record

So spake our mother Eve; and Adam heard Well pleased, but answered not; for now, too nigh The archangel stood; and from the other hill To their fixed station, all in bright array, The cherubim descended; on the ground Gliding mysterious, as evening mist Risen from a river, o’er the marish glides, And gathers round, fast at the labourer’s heel Homeward returning. High in front advanced, The brandished sword of God before them blazed, Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat And vap’rous as the Libyan air adust, Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat On either hand the hast’ning angels caught Our lingering parents; and to th’ eastern gate Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast To the subjected plain; then disappeared. They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate With dreadful faces thronged, and fiery arms. Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.

So spake our mother Eve; and Adam heard Well pleased, but answered not; for now, too nigh The archangel stood; and from the other hill To their fixed station, all in bright array, The cherubim descended; on the ground Gliding mysterious, as evening mist Risen from a river, o’er the marish glides, And gathers round, fast at the labourer’s heel Homeward returning. High in front advanced, The brandished sword of God before them blazed, Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat And vap’rous as the Libyan air adust, Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat On either hand the hast’ning angels caught Our lingering parents; and to th’ eastern gate Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast To the subjected plain; then disappeared. They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate With dreadful faces thronged, and fiery arms. Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.

Approximate author period: c. 1641 AD · renaissance