How first this World and face of things began,

Created in his Image, there to dwell

And thy request think now fulfilld, that askd [ 635 ]

Holy and just: thrice happie if they know

And sons of men, whom God hath thus advanct,

Over his Works, on Earth, in Sea, or Air,

Earth with her nether Ocean circumfusd,

Informd by thee might know; if else thou seekst

The number of thy worshippers. Who seekes

To manifest the more wｗw.9９lｉｂ.ｎetthy might: his evil [ 615 ]

And what before thy memorie was don

On the cleer Hyaline, the Glassie Sea;

Of Spirits apostat and thir Counsels vaine [ 610 ]

With Halleluiahs: Thus was Sabbath kept.

Numerous, and every Starr perhaps a World

From t九九藏书he beginning, that posteritie

Thir happiness, and persevere upright.

To lessen thee, against his purpose serves

Thir seasons: among these the seat of men,

Of amplitude almost immense, with Starrs [ 620 ]

From Heaven Gate not farr, founded in view

Thohttp://www•９９ｌib•ｎetu hast repeld, while impiously they thought

Thir pleasant dwelling place. Thrice happie men, [ 625 ]

So sung they, and the Empyrean rung,

And worship him, and in reward to rule

Thou usest, and from thence creatst more good.

And multiply a Race of Worship九九藏书pers [ 630 ]

Aught, not surpassing human measure, say. [ 640 ]

Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw

Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bound

Witness this new-made World, another Heavn

Thy Empire? easily the proud attempt

Of destind habitation; but thou knowst