"O unexpected stroke, worse than of Death! Must I thus leave thee, Paradise? Thus leave Thee, native soil? These happy walks and shades, Fit haunt of gods, where I had hoped to spend Quiet, though sad, the respite of that day That must be mortal to us both? O flowers, That never will in any other climate grow, My early visitation and my last At even, which I tied up with tender hand From the first opening bud and gave ye names, Who now shall rear ye to the Sun, or rank Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount? ... How shall we breathe in other air Less pure, accustomed to immortal fruits?" The Angel reminds her: "Thy going is not lonely; with thee goes Thy husband; him to follow thou art bound. Where he abides think there thy native soil." Michael then ascending a hill with Adam shows him a vision of the world's history, while Eve sleeps. _XII.--Paradise Behind, the World Before_ The history is continued, with its promise of redemption, until Adam exclaims: "Full of doubt I stand, Whether I should repent me now of sin By me done and occasioned, or rejoice Much more that much more good thereof shall spring-- To God more glory, more good-will to men." Eve awakens from propitious dreams, it having been shown to her that-- "Though all by me is lost, Such favour I unworthy am vouchsafed. By me the Promised Seed shall all restore." The time, however, has come when they must leave. A flaming sword, "fierce as a comet," advances towards them before the bright array of cherubim. Whereat In either hand the hastening angel caught Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate Led them direct, and down the cliff so 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 forces 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. FOOTNOTES: