II. s'éloigne , il revole au séjour paternel

Va de ses jugements rendre compte à son père,

Achève , en l'embrassant, d'attendrir sa colère,

Redouble auprès de lui ses prières, ses vœux ,

Et plaide cncor pour l'homme ingrat et malheureux.

Mais avant que le crime eût profané la terre , Et provo(pié l'arrêt du maitre du toiuierre. Depuis que, menaçant le nouvel univers, Satan avoit franchi les portes des enfers. Leur passage étoit libre, et leurs gueules béantes Lancoient dans le chaos leurs flammes dévorantes ; L'insolente Révolle et son horrible fils , En face l'un de l'autre , au seuil étoicnl assis. Tout-à-coup au Trépas la Pvévolte sa mère Adresse ce discours :

« Eh quoi! lorsque mou père.

Pour ses enfants chéris, dans des climats nouveaux, Cherche un séjour plus doux et des mondes plus beaux, Quelle indigne langueur en ces lieux nous arrête ? Salau déjà sans doute en a fait la conquête ; Autrement du Très-Haut le bras victorieux L'eût déjà replongé dans ce gcraffre de feux.

Before him naked to the air, that now Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin Thenceforth the form of servant to assume; As when he wash'd his servants' feet; sq now. As father of his I'amily, he clad Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, Or, as the snake, with youthful coat repaid; And thought not much to clothe his enemies : 220 Nor he their outward only with the skins Of beasts, but iuward nakedness (much more Op[>robrious) with his robe of righteousness Arraving , cover'd from his Father's sight. To bim with swift ascent he up return'd. Into his blissful bosom reassum'd In glory, as of old; to him appeas'd.

All (though all knowing) what had pass'd with man Becouuled, mixing intercession sweet.

Meanwhile, ere thus was sinu'd and judg'd on earth 23o Within the gates of hell sal Sin and Death, In countcrview within the gates, that now Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame Far into chaos, since the fiend j)ass'd through. Sin opening; who thus now to Death began :

« O son! why sit we here, each other viewing Idly, while Satan, our great author, thrives In other worlds, and happier seal provides For us, his offspring dear? it cannot be But that success attends him; if mishap, 240 Ere this he had return'd, with fury driven