Michael's Prophecy I — Visions of human history through the Flood

Book 11 of Paradise Lost by John Milton

Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood Praying, for from the mercy-seat above Prevenient grace descending had removed The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breathed Unutterable, which the spirit of prayer Inspired, and winged for Heaven with speedier flight Than loudest oratory: yet their port Not of mean suitors, nor important less Seemed their petition, than when the ancient pair In fables old, less ancient yet than these, Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha to restore The race of mankind drowned, before the shrine Of Themis stood devout. Their prayers ascended To the Almighty's throne and there found grace, For God, beholding their contrition true, Resolved to spare their mortal lives awhile.

He ended, and the Son gave sign of grace To all the heavenly host, then to the Father spake. Father Eternal, thine is to decree, Mine both in Heaven and Earth to do thy will Supreme. Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince, And thou in mild departure take thy way Through Eden to that mortal pair; declare My sentence, that the Earth is theirs no more To dwell in, but they forth must pass to till The ground whence Adam first was taken. Yet Dismiss them not disconsolate; reveal To Adam what shall come in future days, As I shall thee enlighten; intermix My covenant in the woman's seed renewed; So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace.

Adam, Heaven's high behest no preface needs: Sufficient that thy prayers are heard, and Death, Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress, Defeated of his seizure many days Given thee of grace, wherein thou mayst repent, And one bad act with many deeds well done Mayst cover: well may then thy Lord appeased Redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim; But longer in this Paradise to dwell Permits not; to remove thee I am come, And send thee from the garden forth to till The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil. Yet grieve not overmuch; I come to show thee What shall befall thy seed in ages hence, That from the knowledge thou mayst gather hope.