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. _Milton._ Oft hast thou heard our elder patriarchs tell How _Adam_ once by disobedience fell; Would that my tongue were gifted to display The terror and the glory of that day, When seized and stricken by the hand of death, The first transgressor yielded up his breath! * * * * * With him his noblest sons might not compare In God-like features and majestic air; Not out of weakness rose his gradual frame, Perfect from his Creator’s hand he came; And as in form excelling, so in mind The sire of men transcended all mankind; A soul was in his eye, and in his speech A dialect of heaven no art could reach; For oft of old to him the evening breeze Had borne the voice of God among the trees; Angels were wont their songs with his to blend, And talk with him as their familiar friend. But deep remorse for that mysterious crime, Whose dire contagion through elapsing time Diffused the curse of death beyond control, Had wrought such self-abasement in his soul, That he whose honour was approached by none, Was yet the meekest man beneath the sun. _J. Montgomery._ ADMONITION. The Lord hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have _admonished_ you this day.--Jeremiah, xlii. 19. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to _admonish_ one another.--Romans, xv. 14.