factious they grow. But first among the priests dissension springs, Men who attend the altar, and should most Endeavour peace; their strife pollution brings Upon the temple itself; at last they seize The sceptre, and regard not David’s sons; Then lose it to a stranger, that the true Anointed King Messiah might be born Barred of his right. Yet at his birth a star, Unseen before in Heaven, proclaims him come, And guides the eastern sages, who inquire His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold: His place of birth a solemn Angel tells To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night; They gladly thither haste, and by a quire Of squadroned Angels hear his carol sung. A Virgin is his mother, but his Sire The Power of the Most High. He shall ascend The throne hereditary, and bound his reign With Earth’s wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens.”
He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy Surcharged as had, like grief, been dewed in tears, Without the vent of words; which these he breathed:
“O prophet of glad tidings, finisher Of utmost hope! now clear I understand What oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain; Why our great Expectation should be called The Seed of Woman. Virgin Mother, hail! High in the love of Heaven, yet from my loins Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son Of God Most High; so God with Man unites. Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise Expect with mortal pain: say where and when Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victor’s heel.”
To whom thus Michael: “Dream not of their fight As of a duel, or the local wounds Of head or heel. Not therefore joins the Son Manhood to Godhead, with more strength to foil Thy enemy; nor so is overcome Satan, whose fall from Heaven, a deadlier bruise, Disabled not to give thee thy death’s wound; Which he who comes thy Saviour shall recure, Not by destroying Satan, but his works In thee and in thy seed. Nor can