LEX DEI LUX DIEI 



Southward through Eden went a river large, 

 Nor changed his course, but through the shaggly 



hill 



Passed underneath ingulfed ; for God had thrown 

 That mountain, as his garden-mould, high raised 

 Upon the rapid current, which, through veins 

 Of porous earth with kindly thirst up-drawn, 

 Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 

 Watered the garden; thence united fell 

 Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood, 

 Which from his darksome passage now appears, 

 And now, divided into four main streams, 

 Runs diverse, wandering many a famous realm 

 And country whereof here needs no account; 

 But rather to tell how, if Art could tell 

 How, from that sapphire fount the aisped brooks, 

 Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, 

 With mazy error under pendent shades 

 Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 

 Flowers worthy of Paradise, which not nice Art 

 In beds and curious knots, but Nature boon 

 Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain, 

 Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 

 The open field, and where the unpierced shade 

 Imbrowned the noontide bowers. Thus was this 



place, 



[189] 



