356 REDEMPTION.
Wide open spread her golden gates, instinct With life innate, and spacious way prepared. Swift on the wings of cherubim he flew ; When, moved with infinite desire, nor time, Nor space computing, to th' Abyss of joy, To his great Father, instant he return'd ; Who, thus saluting, glad his Son received :
"Well done, beloved Son, now thrice return'd, From works befitting thine eternal power; Thrice, order from disorder foul, restored, With victory achieved o'er discord dire. Then, when the heav'nly thrones, by envy moved, Envy of thee, my only Son and Heir, Disturbed the peace of this our dear abode, And third part of th' aspiring angels drew, To base revolt, on their own ruin bent ; So, when from chaos' elemental strife, A universe of worlds resolved from void, Shot light, by thee created, o'er the vast And empty sea of nothingness entire, Thence from their dust, a newer race evoked, To compensate the loss of heaven despoil'd ; Now last return'd, more dear, from mortal strifes, With victory obtain'd on their behalf, Whom our grand foe perverted, they knowing Well th' interdicted tree, sole test design'd To prove man's will, and his obedience, free ; And to his fate, who tempted, doom'd, but that Thy love, free interposed, his ransom paid ; His perfect ransom, by thy proffer'd death, Full sacrifice, atonement ample found. Well hast thou done, Son ever dear; and well
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