This annual humbling certain numbered days, To dash their pride, and joy for Man seduced. However, some tradition they dispersed Among the heathen of their purchase got, And fabled how the Serpent, whom they called Ophion, with Eurynome (the wide- Encroaching Eve perhaps), had first the rule Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driven And Ops, ere yet Dictaean Jove was born.

Meanwhile in Paradise the Hellish pair Too soon arrived; Sin there in power before, Once actual, now in body, and to dwell Habitual habitant; behind her Death, Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet On his pale horse; to whom Sin thus began:

“Second of Satan sprung, all-conquering Death! What think’st thou of our empire now, though earned With travail difficult? not better far Than still at Hell’s dark threshold to have sat watch, Unnamed, undreaded, and thyself half-starved?”