Orbicular, and at length turn'd to Stars all but what, it immediately follows,ferv'd to wall the Universe, and which the fame word Spirited intimates to be the least Subtle and pure of this Quinteffence.

This whole Abstract of the Creation, and which is the Plan of what is more at Large in the Seventh Book, is taken from Lucretius, V. 417, &c.

721 the Reft in Circuit Walls this Universe. that is to fay, the Reft of this Quinteffence, the Etherial Quinteffence of Heaven of which the Stars were form'd This Reft walls the Univerfe. This Notion is taken from Lucretius B. V. v. 461, &c. much (fays he) as we fee in the morning the Lakes, Rivers, and the Earth it self exhale Mifts and Vapours, which Meeting above, Unite and Cover the Sky with Clouds; So the Light and Fufil Ether (Pushing out and Forcing its way on all fides from the pores of the Earth v. 458.) Condenses in the Highest and most Remote parts from the Centre, into a Solid and Concrete Body and Embraces All, Surrounding and Inclofing the Universe. See the like Notion in Plutarch de

placit. Philofoph. Lib. I. C. IV.

723

though but Reflected, fines: the Earth Shines; it is not a Luminous Body it Self, but Reflects the Sun's Beams, as does

the

the Moon, Opaque as It, and therefore they are Reciprocally Moons to Each other.

730 with Borrow'd Light her Countenance Triform

the Moon has no Light in her Self, 'tis all Borrow'd from the Sun, or Reflected from Other Bodies. her Three form'd Face is,her Increase, when her Horns are turn'd toward the Eaft, her Wane, when they ftand Contrarily, and her Full. See the Note on VII. 377.

732

Checks the Night.

prevents its greater Darkness.

740

the Sun's Road.

ibid.

th' Ecliptic

Sped with Hop'd Success, Hope added Wings. Urg'd him to make Hafte.

741 throws his Steep Flight in many an Aery wheel

he throws Himself Directly Down, and turns (as they fay) Heels over Head all the Way, for This is the motion defcrib'd, which Exactly is like the Spoke of a wheel. This Ridiculous motion is Beautifully apply'd to the Devil on This Occafion. So IV. 568. the Angel describes him Bent all on Speed with an Aery Gate. and 129. to have had a Mad Demeanor. he feems to have been in a Sort of Gamefome Mood K 4

(as

(as VI. 620,) Glad that he is just at the end of his Journey.

742 Niphates.

a Mountain in Armenia near where the Garden of Eden is fuppos'd to have been. Armenia borders on Mefopotamia.

Satan is now gotten to the End of his Journey. the fecond Book brought him from Pandemonium through Hell and Chaos to the Sight of the New Creation, a Globe encompass'd with a Wall or Shell. and the Outfide of This Globe is Defart Dark and Tempefted from Chaos, Except on the part toward Heaven where there is a Gleamy Light. Satan wander'd Here, found the Paradife of Fools, and the Steps that lead up to Heaven's Gate with the Lake under them, but came no Nearer Heaven than to Stand on the Lowermoft to Reconnoître. Then he faw the Aperture of Communication, and There he Entred, pafs'd among the Stars to the Sun and from Thence to the Earth, and Alights near Paradife.

Book

5

患患

BOOK IV.

Wo to the Inhabitants on Earth

Rev. xii. 12.

8 Haply

Perchance, as v. 378. XI. 196.

24

Memorie

of what he Was, what Is, and what Muftbe; Worje:

we are not faid to Remember what is yet to Come, nor is This the Senfe Here; he call'd to Mind what he knew must be his Lot. fo Horace Od. IV. 12, 26.

Nigrorum memor dum licet ignium.

See alfo Sat. II. 6.

there should be a Semi-Colon after must be; 'tis not in Some Editions.

3,0

Meridian Towre:

at Noon the Sun is Lifted up as in a Tower. the Metaphor is us'd by Virgil in his Culex v. 41.

Igneus æthereas jam Sol penetrarat in Arces. Spencer in his Admirable Translation of that Poem has follow'd him punctually.

The

33

The Fierie Sun was mounted Now on height
Up to the Heav'nly Towers.

Sole Dominion

not as the Moon who is Accompany'd by the Stars. None Divides, or Difputes the Empire with him.

67

Whom baft thou then, or What t'accuse

but Heav'ns free Love

by Accufe is here meant to Impute as the First Caufe; he did accuse Himself, his Pride, Ambition, Malice, v. 40, 49.

72 Rues. Repents.

76 and in the Loweft Deep a Lower deep
the Loweft Hell he found was a Heaven to
that Torment he felt from the Dread of Worse,
the Hell of Hells was in his own Terrify'd
Mind. Hell Has, Fear Can have no Bounds.

87 bow Dearly I Abide that Boaft

how Dearly I pay for it, how Severely I fuffer for it,

and thrice did lay his Hand upon his Sword, to have him Slain or Dearly done aby. Spencer, Lib. V. Cant. IV. St. 36.

done Aby is made him Aby. Aby fignifies Abide. vid. Skynner Etym. Guil. Vict. v. Abay. or Abey.

A