Paradise Lost

On Earth joyn all yee Creatures to extoll 
Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 
Fairest of Starrs, last in the train of Night, 
If better thou belong not to the dawn, 
Sure pledge of day, that crownst the smiling Morn 
With thy bright Circlet, praise him in thy Spheare 
While day arises, that sweet hour of Prime. 
Thou Sun, of this great World both Eye and Soule, 
Acknowledge him thy Greater, sound his praise 
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, 
And when high Noon hast gaind, & when thou fallst. 
Moon, that now meetst the orient Sun, now fli'st 
With the fixt Starrs, fixt in thir Orb that flies, 
And yee five other wandring Fires that move 
In mystic Dance not without Song, resound 
His praise, who out of Darkness call'd up Light. 
Aire, and ye Elements the eldest birth 
Of Natures Womb, that in quaternion run 
Perpetual Circle, multiform; and mix 
And nourish all things, let your ceasless change 
Varie to our great Maker still new praise. 
Ye Mists and Exhalations that now rise 
From Hill or steaming Lake, duskie or grey, 
Till the Sun paint your fleecie skirts with Gold, 
In honour to the Worlds great Author rise, 
Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolourd skie, 
Or wet the thirstie Earth with falling showers, 
Rising or falling still advance his praise. 
His praise ye Winds, that from four Quarters blow, 
Breath soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye Pines, 
With every Plant, in sign of Worship wave. 
Fountains and yee, that warble, as ye flow, 
Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. 
Joyn voices all ye living Souls, ye Birds, 
That singing up to Heaven Gate ascend, 
Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise; 
Yee that in Waters glide, and yee that walk 
The Earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep; 
Witness if I be silent, Morn or Eeven, 
To Hill, or Valley, Fountain, or fresh shade 
Made vocal by my Song, and taught his praise. 
Hail universal Lord, be bounteous still 
To give us onely good; and if the night 
Have gathered aught of evil or conceald, 
Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark. 
  So pray'd they innocent, and to thir thoughts 
Firm peace recoverd soon and wonted calm. 
On to thir mornings rural work they haste 
Among sweet dewes and flours; where any row 
Of Fruit-trees overwoodie reachd too farr 
Thir pamperd boughes, and needed hands to check 
Fruitless imbraces: or they led the Vine 
To wed her Elm; she spous'd about him twines 
Her mariageable arms, and with her brings 
Her dowr th' adopted Clusters, to adorn 
His barren leaves.  Them thus imploid beheld 
With pittie Heav'ns high King, and to him call'd 
RAPHAEL, the sociable Spirit, that deign'd 
To travel with TOBIAS, and secur'd 
His marriage with the seaventimes-wedded Maid. 
  RAPHAEL, said hee, thou hear'st what stir on Earth 
SATAN from Hell scap't through the darksom Gulf 
Hath raisd in Paradise, and how disturbd 
This night the human pair, how he designes 
In them at once to ruin all mankind. 
Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend 
Converse with ADAM, in what Bowre or shade 
Thou find'st him from the heat of Noon retir'd, 
To respit his day-labour with repast, 
Or with repose; and such discourse bring on, 
As may advise him of his happie state, 
Happiness in his power left free to will, 
Left to his own free Will, his Will though free, 
Yet mutable; whence warne him to beware 
He swerve not too secure: tell him withall 
His danger, and from whom, what enemie 
Late falln himself from Heav'n, is plotting now 
The fall of others from like state of bliss; 
By violence, no, for that shall be withstood, 
But by deceit and lies; this let him know, 
Least wilfully transgressing he pretend 
Surprisal, unadmonisht, unforewarnd. 
  So spake th' Eternal Father, and fulfilld 
All Justice: nor delaid the winged Saint 
After his charge receivd, but from among 
Thousand Celestial Ardors, where he stood 
Vaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light 
Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic Quires 
On each hand parting, to his speed gave way 
Through all th' Empyreal road; till at the Gate 
Of Heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-opend wide 
On golden Hinges turning, as by work 
Divine the sov'ran Architect had fram'd. 
From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, 
Starr interpos'd, however small he sees, 
Not unconform to other shining Globes, 
Earth and the Gard'n of God, with Cedars crownd 
Above all Hills.  As when by night the Glass 
Of GALILEO, less assur'd, observes 
Imagind Lands and Regions in the Moon: