“Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south With strictest watch; these other wheel the north: Our circuit meets full west.” As flame they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. From these, two strong and subtle Spirits he called That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge:

“Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed Search through this garden; leave unsearched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. This evening from the sun’s decline arrived Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen Hitherward bent (who could have thought?), escaped The bars of Hell, on errand bad, no doubt: Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring.”