PL 11.1-49 (Prevenient grace & the Son’s petition)

Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood Before the Father’ throne: them the glad Son The smell of peace toward mankind, let him live
Praying, for from the mercy-seat above Presenting, thus to intercede began. Before thee reconciled, at least his days
Prevenient Grace descending had removed “See Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung Numbered, though sad, till death, his doom (which I
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh From thy implanted grace in man, these sighs To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse)
Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breathed And prayers, which in this golden censer, mixed To better life shall yield him, where with me
Unutterable, which the spirit of prayer With incense, I thy priest before thee bring, All my redeemed may dwell in joy and bliss,
Inspired, and winged for heav'n with speedier flight Fruits of more pleasing savor from thy seed Made one with me as I with thee am one.”
Than loudest oratorie: yet their port Sown with contrition in his heart, than those To whom the Father, without cloud, serene.
Not of mean suitors, nor important less Which his own hand manuring all the trees “All thy request for man, accepted Son,
Seemed their petition, then when th' ancient pair Of Paradise could have produced, ere fall'n Obtain, all thy request was my decree:
In fables old, less ancient yet then these, From innocence. Now therefore bend thine ear But longer in that Paradise to dwell,
Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha to restore To supplication, hear his sighs though mute; The law I gave to nature him forbids…”
The race of mankind drowned, before the shrine Unskillful with what words to pray, let me
Of Themis stood devout. To heav'n their prayers Interpret for him, me his advocate
Flew up, nor missed the way, by envious winds And propitiation, all his works on me
Blown vagabond or frustrate: in they passed Good or not good ingraft, my merit those
Dimensionless through heav'nly doors; then clad Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay.
With incense, where the Golden Altar fumed, Accept me, and in me from these receive
By their great Intercessor, came in sight