Himafterloe,irresolute

    Ofthoughtsrevolvd,hisfiencechose

    FitVessel,fittestImpoffraud,inwhom

    Toenter,andhisdarksuggestionshide[90]

    Fromsharpestsight:forinthewilieSnake,

    Whateversleightsnonewouldsuspiark,

    Asfromhiswitandnativesuttletie

    Proceeding,whiotherBeastsobservd

    DoubtmightbegetofDiabolicpowr[95]

    Activewithinbeyondthesenseofbrute.

    Thusheresolvd,butfirstfrominwardgriefe

    Hisburstingpassionintoplaintsthuspourd:

    OEarth,howliketoHeavn,ifnotpreferrd

    Morejustly,SeatworthierofGods,asbuilt[100]

    Withsedthoughts,refwhatwasold!

    ForwhatGodafterbetterworsewouldbuild?

    TerrestrialHeavn,danctroundbyotherHeavns

    ThatshibearthirbrightofficiousLamps,

    LightaboveLight,fortheealone,asseems,[105]

    Intheetringallthirpreciousbeams

    Ofsacredinfluence:AsGodinHeavn

    Ister,yetextendstoall,sothou

    tringreceavstfromallthoseOrbs;inthee,

    Notinthemselves,allthirknowueappeers[110]

    ProductiveinHerb,Plant,andnoblerbirth

    OfCreaturesanimatewithgraduallife

    OfGrowth,Sense,Reason,allsummdupinMan.

    WithwhatdelightcouldIhavewalkttheeround,

    IfIcouldjoyinaught,sweetinterge[115]

    OfHill,andVallie,Rivers,WoodsandPlaines,

    NowLand,nowSea,andShoreswithForrestd,

    Rocks,Dens,andCaves;butIihese

    Findplacee;andthemoreIsee

    Pleasuresaboutme,somuchmoreIfeel[120]

    Tormentwithinme,asfromthehatefulsiege