Chapter Paradise Regained to Paris in France of P by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Paradise Regained to Paris in France

Paradise Regained, in four books. The subject is the Temptation. Eve, being tempted, lost paradise; Christ, being tempted, regained it.

Book I. Satan presents himself as an old peasant; and, entering into conversation with Jesus, advises him to satisfy His hunger by miraculously converting stones into bread. Jesus gives the tempter to know that He recognizes him, and refuses to follow his suggestion.

II. Satan reports progress to his ministers, and asks advice. He returns to the wilderness, and offers Jesus wealth, as the means of acquiring power, but the suggestion is again rejected.

III. Satan shows Jesus several of the kingdoms of Asia, and points out to Him their military power. He advises Him to seek alliance with the Parthians, and promises his aid. He says by such alliance He might shake off the Roman yoke, and raise the kingdom of David to a first-class power. Jesus rejects the counsel, and tells the tempter that the Jews were for the present under a cloud for their sins, but that the time would come when God would put forth His hand on their behalf.

IV. Satan shows Jesus Rome, with all its greatness, and says, “I can easily dethrone Tiberius, and seat Thee on the imperial throne.” He then shows Him Athens, and says, “I will make Thee master of their wisdom and high state of civilization, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.” “Get thee behind Me, Satan!” was the indignant answer; and Satan, finding all his endeavours useless, tells Jesus of the sufferings prepared for Him, takes Him back to the wilderness, and leaves Him there; but angels come and minister unto Him.—Milton (1671).

Paraguay (A Tale of), by Southey, in four ca ntos, Spenseri an metre (1814). The small-pox, having broken out amongst the Guaranis, carried off the whole tribe except Quiara and his wife Monnema, who then migrated from the fatal spot to the Mondai woods. Here a son (Yeruti) and afterwards a daughter (Mooma) were born; but before the birth of the latter, the father was eaten by a jaguar. When the children were of a youthful age, a Jesuit priest induced the three to come and live at St. Joachin ; so they left the wild woods for a city life. Here, in a few months, the mother flagged and died. The daughter next drooped, and soon followed her mother to the grave. The son, now the only remaining one of the entire race, begged to be baptized, received the rite, cried, “Ye are come for me! I am ready;” and died also.

Parallel. “None but itself can be its parallel,” from The Double Falsehood, iii. 1, by Theobald (1721). Massinger, in The Duke of Milan, iv. 3 (1662), makes Sforza say of Marelia—

Her goodness does disdain comparison,
And, but herself, admits no parallel.

It had been previously said of John Lilburn—

None but himself himself can parallel.
   —Anagram on John Lilburn (1658).

Parc aux Cerfs [“the deer park”], a mansion in Versailles, to which girls were inveigled for the licentious pleasure of Louis XV. An Alsatia.

Boulogne may be proud of being the parc aux cerfs to those whom remorseless greed drives from their island homes.—Saturday Review.

Parcinus, a young prince in love w ith his cousin Irolita, but beloved by Azira. The fairy Danamo was Azira’s mother, and resolved to make Irolita marry the fairy Brutus, but Parcinus, aided by the fairy Favourable, surmounted all obstacles, married Irolita, and made Brutus marry Azira.

Parcinus had a noble air, a delicate shape, a fine head of hair admirably white. … He did everything well, danced and sang to perfection, and gained all the prizes at tournaments, whenever he contended for them.—Comtesse D’Aulney: Fairy Tales (“Perfect Love,” 1682).