The argument. Raphael, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherefore
this world was first created ; that God, after the expelling of Satan and his Angels out of heaven, declared his pleasure to create another world, and other creatures to dwell therein ; sends his Son with glory, and attendance of angels, to perform the work of Creation in six days : the Angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, and his reascension into Heaven.
DESCEND from heaven, Urania ! by that name
If rightly thou art call’d, whose voice divine
Following, above the Olympian hill I soar,
Above the flight of Pegaséan wing !
The meaning, not the name, I call: for thou
Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top
Of old Olympus dwell'st: but, heavenly-born,
Before the hills appear’d, or fountain flow'd,
Thou with eternal Wisdom didst converse,
Wisdom thy sister; and with her didst play
In presence of the Almighty Father, pleased
With thy celestial song. Up led by thee
Into the Heaven of Heavens I have presumed,
An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal air,
Thy tempering: with like safety guided down