CANTO iv. OF GOOD AND EVIL. 169 



Soft- warbling flutes the ruby lip commands, 

 And cymbals ring with high uplifted hands. 



To CHAOS next the notes melodious pass, 

 How suns exploded from the kindling mass, 4QO 



Waved o'er the vast inane their tresses bright, 

 And charmed young Nature's opening eyes with light. 

 Next from each sun how spheres reluctant burst, 

 And second planets issued from the first. 

 And then to EARTH descends the moral strain, 

 How isles, emerging from the shoreless main, 

 With sparkling streams and fruitful groves began, 

 And form'd a Paradise for mortal man. 



Sublimer notes record CELESTIAL LOVE, 



. 



And high rewards in brighter climes above; 500 



To Chaos next. 1. 489- 



Namque canebat uti magnum per inane coacta 

 Semina terrarumque, animseque, marisque fuissent; 

 Et liquid! simul ignis; ut his exordia primis 

 Omnia, et ipse tenermundi concreveriCorbis. 



VIHG. EC. VI. 1. 31, 



z 



