70 REDEMPTION.
In the dense boscage hide, o'erspread the plain, And cover all the ground. So, thickly swarm Some vagrant hives of bees, which, when escaped, Upon the neighb'ring boughs, each th' other hugs, Till clusters thick hang pendent to the ground; Or so, dull ev'ning's mists o'er wood and vale, Wide spread their baleful influence round each cot, And grimy death in num'rous shapes conceal.
Umbrageous night with dusky shades had spread Her curtain o'er half this terraqueous globe, When Satan stealthy drew his hosts, falcate, Around the Eden of our only hope, With eager caution, whom it held to slay, Or to his purposes malign, seduce. As skilful fowler spreads his snares, then wide About the bushes beats, with stealthy step, To drive th' unconscious herd within his toils, So Satan now with skill deploy'd; then sped Alone, to reconnoiter all the bounds, To see what foe he might expect to meet, And with what numbers he might have to cope; Or if, perchance, by accident o'erlook'd, Some point accessible might be assail'd, And at one stroke an easy conquest gain'd. But much he marvell'd, every avenue To find exposed. Of the celestial bands, Not one remain'd; and whereon Gabriel stood, With all his glitt'ring train, (wide space and free,) A wilderness of roses, fragrant shrubs, With nect'rous fruits and scent distilling plants, Fresh bloom'd, soft breathing their ambrosial sweets Through the still air; essence, concinous once
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