Adam and Raphael — Adam's creation and Raphael's warning

Book 8 of Paradise Lost by John Milton

The angel ended, and in Adam's ear So charming left his voice, that he awhile Thought him still speaking, still stood fixed to hear; Then as new-waked thus gratefully replied. What thanks sufficient, or what recompense Equal have I to render thee, divine Historian, who thus largely hast allayed The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchsafed This friendly condescension to relate Things else by me unsearchable, now heard With wonder, but delight.

When I behold this goodly frame, this World Of Heaven and Earth consisting, and compute Their magnitudes, this Earth a spot, a grain, An atom, with the firmament compared And all her numbered stars, that seem to roll Spaces incomprehensible (for such Their distance argues and their swift return Diurnal) merely to officiate light Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot, One day and night; in all their vast survey Useless besides, reasoning I oft admire, How Nature wise and frugal could commit Such disproportions.

To ask or search I blame thee not, for Heaven Is as the book of God before thee set, Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn His seasons, hours, or days, or months, or years: This to attain, whether Heaven move or Earth, Imports not, if thou reckon right; the rest From Man or Angel the great Architect Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge His secrets to be scanned by them who ought Rather admire; or if they list to try Conjecture, he his fabric of the Heavens Hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move His laughter at their quaint opinions wide. Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid, Leave them to God above, him serve and fear.