83

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK IX.

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The enemy, though bold, will hardly dare ; On what thou hast of virtue ; summon all!
Or daring, first on me the assault shall light. For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine."
Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn; So spake the patriarch of mankind ; but Eve
Subtle he needs must be, who could seduce Persisted; yet submiss, though last, replied.
Angels; nor think superfluous other's aid.

“With thy permission then, and thus forewarn'd I from the influence of thy looks receive Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words Access in every virtue; in thy sight

Touclid only; that our trial, when least sought,
More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were, May find us both perhaps far less prepard,
Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on, The willinger I go, nor much expect
Shame to be overcome or over-reach'd,

A foe so proud will first the weaker seek;
Would utmost vigor raise, and rais'd, unite. So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse."
Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel Thus saying, from her husband's hand her hand
When I am present, and thy trial choose

Soft she withdrew; and, like a wood-nymph light,
With me, best witness of thy virtue tried ?" Oread or Dryad, or of Delia's train,
So spake domestic Adam in his care

Betook her to the groves; but Delia's self
And matrimonial love; but Eve, who thought In gait surpass'd, and goddess-like deport,
Less attributed to her faith sincere,

Though not as she with bow and quiver armd, Thus her reply with accent sweet renewid. But with such gardening tools as art yet rude. " If this be our condition, thus to dwell

Guiltless of fire, had form’d, or angels brought. In narrow circuit straiten'd by a foe,

To Pales, or Pomona, thus adorn'd, Subtle or violent, we not endued

Likest she seem'd, Pomona when she fled Single with like defence, wherever met;

Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her prime,
How are we happy, still in fear of harm?

Yet virgin of Proserpina from Jove.
But harm precedes not sin: only our foe, Her long with ardent look his eye pursued
Tempting, affronts us with his foul esteem Delighted, but desiring more her stay.
Of our integrity: his foul esteem

Oft he to her his charge of quick return
Sticks no dishonor on our front, but turns

Repeated; she to him as oft engag'd
Foul on himself; then wherefore shunnd or fear'd To be return'd by noon amid the bower,
By us? who rather double honor gain

And all things in best order to invite
From his surmise prov'd false ; find peace within, Noontide repast, or afternoon's repose.
Favor from Heaven, our witness, from the event. O much deceivid, much failing, hapless Eve,
And what is faith, love, virtue, unassay'd of thy presum'd return! event perverse !
Alone, without exterior help sustain'd ?

Thou never from that hour in Paradise
Let us not then suspect our happy state

Found'st either sweet repast, or sound repose; Left so imperfect by the Maker wise,

Such ambush, hid among sweet flowers and shades, As not secure to single or combin'd.

Waited with hellish rancor imminent Frail is our happiness, if this be so,

To intercept thy way, or send thee back
And Eden were no Eden, thus expos’d."

Despoil'd of innocence, of faith, of bliss !
To whom thus Adam fervently replied.

For now, and since first break of dawn, the fiend,
O Woman, best are all things as the will Mere serpent in appearance, forth was come;
Of God ordain'd them: his creating hand And on his quest, where likeliest he might find
Nothing imperfect or deficient left

The only two of mankind, but in them Of all that he created, much less Man,

The whole included race, his purpos'd prey. Or aught that might his happy state secure, In bower and field he sought where any tuft Secure from outward force; within himself Of grove or garden-plot more pleasant lay, The danger lies, yet lies within his power: Their tendance, or plantation for delight; Against his will he can receive no harm. By fountain or by shady rivulet But God left free the will; for what obeys He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find Reason, is free; and reason he made right, Eve separate ; he wish’d, but not with hope But bid her well beware, and still erect;

of what so seldom chanc'd; when to his wish, Lest, by some fair-appearing govu surpris'd, Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies, She dictate false ; and misinform the will

Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood, To do what God expressly hath forbid.

Half spied, so thick the roses blushing round Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins, About her glow'd, oft stooping to support That I should mind thee oft: and mind thou me. Each flower of slender stalk, whose head, though gay Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve,

Carnation, purple, azure, or speck'd with gold,
Since reason not impossibly may meet

Hung drooping unsustain'd; them she upstays
Some specious object by the foe suborn'd, Gently with myrtle band, mindless the while
And fall into deception unaware,

Herself, though fairesi unsupported flower,
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh.
Seek not temptation then, which to avoid

Nearer he drew, and many a walk travérs'd
Were better, and most likely if from me

Of stateliest covert, cedar, pine, or palm;
Thuu sever not: trial will come unsought. Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen,
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve Among thick-woven arborets, and flowers
First thy obedience; the other who can know, Imborder'd on each bank, the hand of Eve:
Not seeing thee attempted, who attest?

Spot more delicious than those gardens feign'd
But if thou think, trial unsought may find Or of reviv'd Adonis, or renown'd
l's both securer than thus warn'd thou seemist, Alcinous, host of old Laertes' son ;
Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more; Or that, not mystic, where the sapient king
Go in thy native innocence, rely

Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse.

:

sweet

Much he the place admir'd, the person more. As when a ship, by skilful steersman wrought
As one who long in populous city pent,

Nigh river's mouth or foreland, where the wind
Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air, Veers oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail :
Forth issuing on a summer's morn, to breathe So varied he, and of his tortuous train
Among the pleasant villages and farms

Curl'd many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve, Adjoin'd, from each thing met conceives delight; To lure her eye; she, busied, heard the sound The smell of grain, or tedded grass, or kine, Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as us'd Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound; To such disport before her through the field, If chance, with nymph-like step, fair virgin pass, From every beast; more duteous at her call, What pleasing seemd, for her now pleases more, Than at Circean call the herd disguis'd. She inost, and in her look sums all delight: He, bolder now, uncall'd before her stood, Such pleasure took the serpent to behold

But as in gaze admiring : oft he bow'd This flowery plat, the sweet recess of Eve

His turret crest, and sleek enamellid neck, Thus early, thus alone: her heavenly form Fawning; and lick'd the ground whereon she trod Angelic, but more soft, and feminine,

His gentle dumb expression turn'd at length Her graceful innocence, her every air

The eye of Eve, to mark his play; he, glad
Of gesture, or least action, overaw'd

Of her attention gain'd, with serpent-longue
His malice, and with rapine sweet bereavid Organic, or impulse of vocal air,
His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought : His fraudulent temptation thus began.
That space the evil-one abstracted stood

“Wonder not, sovran mistress, if perhaps From his own evil, and for the time remain'd Thou canst who art sole wonder! much less arm Stupidly good ; of enmily disarm’d,

Thy looks, the Heaven of mildness, with disdain, Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge.

Displeas'd that I approach thee thus, and gaze But the hot Hell that always in him burns, Insatiate ; I thus single; nor have fear'd Though in mid Heaven, soon ended his delight, Thy awful brow, more awful thus retird. And tortures him now more, the more he sees Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair, Of pleasure, not for him ordaind: then soon Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites.

With ravishment beheld! there best beheld, “ Thoughts, whither have ye led me! with what Where universally admir'd; but here

In this inclosure wild, these beasts among, Compulsion thus transported, to forget

Beholders rude, and shallow to discern What hither brought us! hate, not love; nor hope Half what in thee is fair, one man except, (seen Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste

Who sees thee? (and what is one?) who should be Of pleasure ; but all pleasure to destroy,

A goddess among gods, ador'd and serv'd Save what is in destroying ; other joy

By angels numberless, thy daily train." To me is lost. Then, let me not let pass

So gloz'd the tempter, and his proem tun'd: Occasion which now smiles; behold alone Into the heart of Eve his words made way, The woman, opportune to all attempts,

Though at the voice much marvelling; at length, Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, Not unamaz'd, she thus in answer spake. [nouncd Whose higher intellectual more I shun,

" What may this mean? language of man proAnd strength, of courage haughty, and of limb By tongue of brute, and human sense express'd ? Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould; The first, at least, of these I thought denied Foe not informidable! exempt from wound, To beasts; whom God, on their creation-day, I not; so much hath Hell debas'd, and pain Created mute to all articulate sound : Enfeebled me, to what I was in Heaven.

The latter I demur; for in their looks She fair, divinely fair, fit love for gods!

Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears Not terrible, though terror be in love

Thee, serpent, subtlest beast of all the field And beauty, not approach'd by stronger hate, I knew, but not with human voice endued ; Hate stronger, under show of love well feign'd; Redouble then this miracle, and say, The way which to her ruin now I tend." How cam’st thou speakable of mute, and how

So spake the enemy of mankind, inclos'd To me so friendly grown above the rest In serpent, inmate bad! and toward Eve

Of brutal kind, that daily are in sight? Address’d his way: not with indented wave, Say, for such wonder claims attention due.” Prone on the ground, as since; but on his rear, To whom the guileful tempter thus replied. Circular base of rising folds, that tower'd

· Empress of this fair world, resplendent Eve! Fold above fold, a surging maze! his head Easy to me it is to tell thee all

[obey'd . Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ;

What thou command'st; and right thou shouldst le With burnish'd neck of verdant gold, erect I was at first as other beasts that

graze Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low, Floated redundant: pleasing was his shape As was my food; nor aught but food discern'd And lovely; never since of serpent-kind

Or sex, and apprehended nothing high: Lovelier, not those that in Illyria chang'd

Till, on a day roving the field, I chanc'd Hermione and Cadmus, or the god

A goodly tree far distant to behold In Epidaurus; nor to which transform'd

Loaden with fruit of fairest colors mix'd,
Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline was seen;

Ruddy and gold: I nearer drew to gaze ;
He with Olympias; this with her who bore When from the boughs a savory odor blown,
Scipio, the height of Rome. With tract oblique Grateful to appetite, more pleas'd my sense
At first, as one who sought access, but fear'd Than smell of sweetest fennel, or the teats
To interrupt, sidelono he works his way.

Of ewe or goat, dropping with milk at even

Unsuck'd of lamb or kid, that tend their play. God so commanded, and left that command
To satisfy the sharp desire I had

Sole daughter of his voice; the rest, we live
Of tasting those fair apples, I resolv'd

Law to ourselves; our reason is our law." Not to defer; hunger and thirst at once,

To whom the tempter guilefully replied. Powerful persuaders, quicken'd at the scent “ Indeed! hath God then said that of the fruit Of that alluring fruit, urg'd me so keen.

Of all these garden-trees ye shall not eat, About the mossy trunk I wound me soon ;

Yet lords declar'd of all in Earth or Air ?" For, high from ground, the branches would require To whom thus Eve, yet sinless. “Of the fruit Thy utmost reach or Adam's: round the tree Of each tree in the garden we may eat; All other beasts that saw, with like desire

But of the fruit of this fair tree amidst Longing and envying stood, but could not reach. The garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die.'" Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill

She scarce had said, though brief, when now more I spar'd not; for, such pleasure till that hour,

bold At feed or fountain, never had I found.

The tempter, but with show of zeal and love Sated at length, ere long I might perceive

To Man, and indignation at his wrong, Strange alteration in me, to degree

New part puts on; and, as to passion mov'd,
Of reason in my inward powers; and speech Fluctuates disturb’d, yet comely and in act
Wanted not long; though to this shape retain'd. Rais'd, as of sorne great matter to begin.
Thenceforth to speculations high or deep

As when of old some orator renown'd,
I turn'd my thoughts, and with capacious mind In Athens or free Rorne, where eloquence
Consider'd all things visible in Heaven,

Flourish'd, since mute! to some great cause ad Or Earth, or Middle; all things fair and good :

dress'd, But all that fair and good in thy divine

Stood in himself collected; while each part, Semblance, and in thy beauty's heavenly ray, Motion, each act, won audience ere the tongue ; United I beheld; no fair to thine

Sometimes in height began, as no delay Equivalent or second : which compellid

Of preface brooking, through his zeal of right: Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come So standing, moving, or to height up grown, And gaze, and worship thee of right declar'd The tempter, all impassion'd, thus began. Sovran of creatures, universal dame!"

“O sacred, wise, and wisdom giving plant, So talk'd the spirited sly snake ; and Eve, Mother of science! now I feel thy power Yet more amaz’d, unwary thus replied.

Within me clear; not only to discern Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt Things in their causes, but to trace the ways The virtue of that fruit, in thee first prov'd : Of highest agents, deem'd however wise. But say, where grows the tree? from hence how far! Queen of this universe! do not believe For many are the trees of God that grow

Those rigid threats of death : ye shall not die: In Paradise, and various, yet unknown

How should you? by the fruit ? it gives you life To us; in such abundance lies our choice, To knowledge ; by the threatener? look on me, As leaves a greater store of fruit untouch'd, Me, who have touch'd and tasted ; yet both live, Still hanging incorruptible, till men

And life more perfect have attain'd than Fate Grow up to their provision, and more hands Meant me, by venturing higher than my lot. Help to disburden Nature of her birth.”

Shall that be shut to man, which to the beast To whom the wily adder, blithe and glad. Is open? or will God incense his ire “Empress, the way is ready, and not long; For such a petty trespass ? and not praise Beyond a row of myriles, on a flat,

Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain Fast by a fountain, one small thicket past

Of death denounc'd, whatever thing death be, Of blowing myrrh and balm: if thou accept Deterr'd not from achieving what might lead My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon." To happier life, knowledge of good and evil ;

“Lead then,” said Eve. He, leading, swiftly rollid Of good, how just ? of evil, if hat is evil In tangles, and made intricate seem straight, Be real, why not known, since easier shunn'd ? To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just; Brightens his crest; as when a wandering fire Not just, not God: not fear’d then, nor obey'd : Compact of unctuous vapor, which the night Your fear itself of death removes the fear. Condenses, and the cold environs round,

Why then was this forbid ? Why, but to awe ; Kindled through agitation to a flame,

Why, but to keep ye low and ignorant,
Which oft, they say, some evil spirit attends, His worshippers ? He knows that in the day
Hovering and blazing with delusive light,

Ye eat thereof, your eyes, that seem so clear,
Misleads the amaz'd night-wanderer from his way Yet are but dim, shall perfectly be then
To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool ; Open'd and clear'd, and ye shall be as gods,
There swallow'd up and lost, from succor far: Knowing both good and evil, as they know.
So glister'd the dire snake, and into fraud

That ye shall be as gods, since I as Man,
Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the tree Internal Man, is but proportion meet;
Of prohibition, root of all our woe;

I, of brute, human; ye, of human, gods.
Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake. So ye shall die, perhaps, by putting off
* Serpent, we might have spar'd our coming Human, to put on gods; death to be wishid,
hither,

Though threaten'd, which no worse than this can Fruitless to me, though fruit be here to excess,

bring. The credit of whose virtue rest with thee; And what are gods, that man may not become Wondrous indeed if cause of such effects. As they, participating godlike food ? But of this tree we may not taste nor touch ; |The gods are first, and that advantage use

On our belief, that all from them proceeds: Or fancied so, through expectation high
I question it; for this fair Earth I see,

of knowledge; nor was godhead from her thought
Warm'd by the Sun, producing every kind; Greedily she engorg'd without restraint,
Them, nothing: if they all things, who inclos'd And knew not eating death ; satiate at length,
Knowledge of good and evil in this tree,

And heighten'd as with wine, jocund and boon, That whoso eats thereof forthwith attains

Thus to herself she pleasingly began.
Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies “O sovran, virtuous, precious of all trees
The offence, that man should thus attain to know? In Paradise ! of operation blest
What can your knowledge hurt him, or this tree To sapience, hitherto obscur'd, infam’d,
Impart against his will, if all be his ?

And thy fair fruit let hang, as to no end
Or is it envy ? and can envy dwell

Created; but henceforth my early care, In heavenly breasts ?— These, these, and many more Not without song, each morning, and due praise, Causes import your need of this fair fruit. Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.” Of thy full branches offer'd free to all;

He ended; and his words, replete with guile, Till, dieted by thee, I grow mature Into her heart too easy entrance won:

In knowledge, as the gods, who all things know, Fix'd on the fruit she gaz’d, which to behold Though others envy what they cannot give. Might tempt alone; and in her ears the sound For, had the gift been theirs, it had not here Yet rung of his persuasive words, impregn'd Thus grown. Experience, next, to thee I owe, With reason, to her seeming, and with truth ; Best guide : not following thee, I had remain'd Meanwhile the hour of noon drew on, and wak'd In ignorance; thou open'st wisdom's way, An eager appetite, rais'd by the smell

And giv'st access, though secret she retire. So savory of that fruit, which with desire, And I perhaps am secret: Heaven is high, Inclinable now grown to touch or taste,

High, and remote to see from thence distinct Solicited her longing eye; yet first

Each thing on Earth ; and other care perhaps Pausing awhile, thus to herself she mus'd. May have diverted from continual watch

“Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits, Our great Forbidder, safe with all his spies Though kept from man, and worthy to be admir'd; About him. But 10 Adam in what sort Whose taste, too long forborne, at first assay Shall I appear? shall I to him make known Gave elocution to the mute, and taught

As yet my change, and give him to partake The tongue not made for speech, to speak thy praise : Full happiness with me, or rather not, Thy praise he also, who forbids thy use,

But keep the odds of knowledge in my power Conceals not from us, naming thee the tree Without copartner? so to add what wants Of knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil; In female sex, the more to draw his love, Forbids us then to taste! but his forbidding And render me more equal; and perhaps, Commends thee more, while it infers the good A thing not undesirable, sometime By thee communicated, and our want:

Superior: for, inferior, who is free?
For good unknown sure is not had; or, had This may be well: but what if God have seen,
And yet unknown, is as not had at all.

And death ensue? then I shall be no more!
In plain then, what forbids he but to know, And Adam, wedded to another Eve,
Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise?

Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct;
Such prohibitions bind not. But, if death

A death to think! Confirm'd then I resolve, Bind us with after-bands, what profits then Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe: Our inward freedom? In the day we eat

So dear I love him, that with him all deaths of this fair fruit, our doom is, we shall die ! I could endure, without him live no life.” How dies the serpent? he hath eat'n and lives, So saying, from the tree her step she turn'd ; And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, But first low reverence done, as to the Power Irrational, till then. For us alone

That dwelt within, whose presence had infus'd Was death invented ? or to us denied

Into the plant sciential sap, deriv'd This intellectual food, for beasts reserv'd?

From nectar, drink of gods. Adam the while For beasts it seems : yet that one beast which first Waiting desirous her return, had wove Hath tasted envies not, but brings with joy Of choicest flowers a garland, to adorn The good befallin him, author unsuspect,

Her tresses, and her rural labors crown; Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile.

As reapers oft are wont their harvest-queen. What fear I then? rather, what know to fear Great joy he promis'd to his thoughts, and new Under this ignorance of good and evil,

Solace in her return, so long delay'd : Of God or death, of law or penalty ?

Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill, Here grows the cure of all, this fruit divine, Misgave him; he the faltering measure felt; Fair to the eye, inviting to the taste,

And forth to meet her went, the way she took Of virtue to make wise : what hinders then That morn when first they parted: by the tree To reach, and feed at once both body and mind ?" or knowledge he must pass; there he her nei, So saying, her rash hand in evil hour

Scarce from the tree returning; in her hand Forth reaching to the fruit, she pluck'd, she eat! A bough of fairest fruit, that downy smild, Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat, New gather'd, and ambrosial smell diffus'd. Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe, To him she hasted ; in her face excuse That all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk Came prologue, and apology too prompt; The guilty serpent; and well might; for Eve, Which, with bland words at will, she thus address Intent now wholly on her taste, nought else

“ Hast thou not wonder'd, Adam, at my stay? Regarded; such delight till then, as seem'd, Thee I have miss'd, and thought it long, deprived In fruit she never tasted, whether true

Thy presence; agony of love till now

Not felt, nor shall be twice ; for never more Is not so heinous now, foretasted fruit,
Mean I to try, what rash untried I sought, Profan'd first by the serpent, by him first
The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange Made common, and unhallow'd, ere our taste :
Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear : Nor yet on him found deadly; he yet lives ;
This tree is not, as we are told, a tree

Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to live, as Man,
Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown

Higher degree of life: inducement strong
Opening the way, but of divine effect

To us, as likely tasting to attain
To open eyes, and make them gods who taste ; Proportional ascent; which cannot be
And hath been tasted such: the serpent wise, But to be gods, or angels, demi-gods.
Or not restrain'd as we, or not obeying,

Nor can I think that God, Creator wise,
Hath eaten of the fruit; and is become,

Though threatenir.g, will in earnest so destroy
Not dead, as we are threaten'd, but thenceforth Us his prime creatures, dignified so high,
Endued with human voice and human sense, Set over all his works; which in our fall,
Reasoning to admiration; and with me

For us created, needs with us must fail,
Persuasively hath so prevail'd, that I

Dependent made ; so God shall uncreate,
Have also tasted, and have also found

Be frustrate, do, undo, and labor lose ;
The effects to correspond; opener mine eyes

Not well conceiv'd of God, who, though his power
Dim erst, dilated spirits, ampler heart,

Creation could repeat, yet would he loth
And growing up to godhead ; which for thee Us to abolish, lest the adversary
Chielly I sought, without thee can despise. Triumph, and say ; .Fickle their state whom God
For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss ; Most favors; who can please him long? Me first
Tedious, unshar'd with thee, and odious soon. He ruin'd, now Mankind; whom will he next !
Thou therefore also taste, that equal lot

Matter of scorn, not to be given the foe.
May join us, equal joy, as equal love;

However I with thee have fix'd my lot,
Lest, thou not tasting, different degree

Certain to undergo like doom: if death
Disjoin us, and I then too late renounce

Consort with thee, death is to me as life;
Deity for thee when Fate will not permit." So forcible within my heart I feel

Thus Eve with countenance blithe her story told; The bond of Nature draw me to my own;
But in her cheek distemper flushing glow'd. My own in thee, for what thou art is mine :
On the other side, Adam, soon as he heard

Our state cannot be sever'd; we are one,
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amaz'd,

One flesh: to lose thee were to lose myself."
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill

So Adam; and thus Eve to him replied.
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relard; "O glorious trial of exceeding love,
From his slack hand the garland wreath'd for Eve Ulustrious evidence, example high!
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed :

Engaging me to emulate; but, short
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length Of thy perfection, how shall I attain,
First to himself he inward silence broke.

Adam? from whose dear side I boast me sprung, “O fairest of creation, last and best

And gladly of our union hear thee speak,
Of all God's works, creature in whom excell'd One heart, one soul in both; whereof good proof
Whatever can to sight or thought be formid, This day affords, declaring thee resolvid,
Koly, divine, good, amiable, or sweet!

Rather than death, or aught than death more dread
How art thou lost! how on a sudden lost,

Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear,
Defac'd, deflower'd, and now to death devote! To undergo with me one guilt, one crime,
Rather, how hast thou yielded to transgress If any be, of tasting this fair fruit;
The strict forbiddance, how to violate

Whose virtue, (for of good still good proceeds ;
The sacred fruit forbidden! Some cursed fraud Direct, or by occasion,) hath presented
Of enemy hath beguil'd thee, yet unknown, This happy trial of thy love, which else
And me with thee hath ruin'd; for with thee So eminently never had been known.
Ceriain my resolution is to die :

Were it I thought death menac'd would ensue
How can I live without thee! how forego This my attempi, I would sustain alone
Thy sweet convérse, and love so dearly join'd, The worst, and not persuade thee, rather die
To live again in these wild woods forlorn! Deserted, than oblige thee with a fact
Should God create another Eve, and I

Pernicious to thy peace; chiesly, assur'd
Another rib afford, yet loss of thee

Remarkably so late of thy so true,
Would never from my heart: no, no! I feel So faithful, love unequall'd: but I feel
The link of Nature draw me: flesh of flesh, Far otherwise the event; not death, but life
Bone of my bone thou art, and from thy state Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new juys,
Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.” Taste so divine, that what of sweet before
So having said, as one from sad dismay

Hath touch'd my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh.
Recomforted, and after thoughts disturbid On my experience, Adam, freely taste,
Submitting to what seem'd remediless,

And fear of death deliver to the winds."
Thus in calm mood his words to Eve he turn'd. So saying, she embrac'd him, and for joy

" Bold deed thou hast presum'd, adventurous Eve, Tenderly wept; much won, that he his love
And peril great provok'd, who thus hast dar'd, Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur
Had it been only coveting to eye

Divine displeasure for her sake, or death.
That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence,

In recompense (for such compliance bad
Much more to taste it under ban to touch. Such recompense best merits) from the bough
But past who can recall, or done, undo?

She gave him of that fair enticing fruit
Not God Omnipotent, nor Fate; yet so

With liberal hand: he scrupled not to eat,
Perhaps thou shalt not die, perhaps the fact Against his better knowledge; not deceiv'd,