unbesought

What shall one doubt or question or beseech Who is assured and knows and, unbesought, Possesses the dear trust that each gives each.

More important than the particulars of the civilisation he envisions is Adam's renewed understanding of God, who "Hath unbesought provided" (x.1058), as inclined to pity, willing to sustain, and ready to instruct (x.1061-62, 1081-83).

(42) Reginald Scot, for example, reported how "these miserable wretches are so odious unto their neighbors, and so feared, as few dare offend them, or denie them anie thing they ask." (43) Another English observer reported that one reputed witch "had so powerful a hand over the wealthiest neighbors about her, that none of them refused to do anything she required, yea, unbesought they provided her with fire, and meat from their own tables." (44) In France, "even substantial laboureurs who crossed a suspected witch were liable to be reproached by their own kin for running unnecessary risks," while in Germany "women, who were known as sorceresses" were equally feared for their readiness to "use their magical powers as weapons in conflicts" with their nei ghbors.