Chapter XII: Canto II

The fear of hell, or aiming to be bless'd, Savours too much of private interest. This moved not Moses, nor the zealous Paul, 57 Who for their friends abandon'd soul and all;[1] A greater yet from heaven to hell descends, To save, and make his enemies his friends. What line of praise can fathom such a love, Which reach'd the lowest bottom from above? The royal prophet,[2] that extended grace From heaven to earth, measured but half that space. The law was regnant, and confined his thought; Hell was not conquer'd when that poet wrote; Heaven was scarce heard of until He came down, To make the region where love triumphs known.

That early love of creatures yet unmade, To frame the world the Almighty did persuade; 70 For love it was that first created light, Moved on the waters, chased away the night From the rude Chaos, and bestow'd new grace On things disposed of to their proper place; Some to rest here, and some to shine above; Earth, sea, and heaven, were all th'effects of love. And love would be return'd; but there was none That to themselves or others yet were known; The world a palace was without a guest, Till one appears that must excel the rest; 80 One! like the Author, whose capacious mind Might, by the glorious work, the Maker find; Might measure heaven, and give each star a name; With art and courage the rough ocean tame; Over the globe with swelling sails might go, And that 'tis round by his experience know; Make strongest beasts obedient to his will, And serve his use the fertile earth to till.

When, by His Word, God had accomplish'd all, 89 Man to create He did a council call; Employed His hand, to give the dust He took A graceful figure, and majestic look; With His own breath convey'd into his breast Life, and a soul fit to command the rest; Worthy alone to celebrate His name For such a gift, and tell from whence it came. Birds sing His praises in a wilder note, But not with lasting numbers and with thought, Man's great prerogative! but above all His grace abounds in His new fav'rite's fall. 100

If He create, it is a world He makes; If He be angry, the creation shakes; From His just wrath our guilty parents fled; He cursed the earth, but bruised the serpent's head. Amidst the storm His bounty did exceed, In the rich promise of the Virgin's seed; Though justice death, as satisfaction, craves, Love finds a way to pluck us from our graves.

[1] 'Abandoned soul and all': Exodus xxxii. 32. Ep. to the Romans ix. 3. [2]: 'Royal prophet': David.