Imatges de pàgina
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1065

Which now the sky with various face begins
To show us in this mountain; while the winds
Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks
Of these fair spreading trees, which bids us seek
Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish
Our limbs benumb'd, ere this diurnal star

Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams
Reflected may with matter sere foment;
Or by collision of two bodies grind

The air attrite to fire, as late the clouds

1071

Justling or push'd with winds rude in their shock Tine the slant lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n

down

Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine,

And sends a comfortable heat from far,

Which might supply the sun. Such fire to use,
And what may else be remedy or cure

To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought,
He will instruct us praying, and of grace
Beseeching him, so as we need not fear
To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd
By him with many comforts, till we end
In dust, our final rest and native home.
What better can we do, than, to the place
Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall

1071 foment] Virg. Æn. i. 175.

'Suscepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum

Nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in fomite flammam.' Hume. 1073 fire] 'Be tired with holy fire.' Quarles's Emblems p. 293. 1076 or pine] Fenton and Bentley read and pine.'

1075

1081

1085

Before him reverent, and there confess

Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 1090
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek?
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn

From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
When angry most he seem'd and most severe,
What else but favour, grace, and mercy shone?

1095

1100

So spake our father penitent, nor Eve Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell Before him reverent; and both confess'd Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek.

1091 Frequenting] Tempesting. Bentl. MS.; so in line 1103.

END OF VOLUME I.

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