Under his forming hands a creature grew, 470 That what feem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now Mean, or in her fumm'd up, in her contain'd And in her looks, which from that time infus'd 475 And into all things from her air inspir'd Her lofs, and other pleasures all abjure: 480 When out of hope, behold her, not far off, 485 And guided by his voice, nor uninform'd Of nuptial fanctity and marriage rites: Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her eye, I overjoy'd could not forbear aloud. 490 Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign, This turn hath made amends; thou haft fulfill'd Giver of all things fair, but fairest this 495 Father Father and mother, and to his wife adhere; And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one foul. Her virtue, and the confcience of her worth, 505 Nature herself, though pure of finful thought, I follow'd her, she what was honor knew, And with obfequious majefty approv'd 510 I led her, blushing like the morn:` all Heaven, And happy constellations on that hour Shed their felecteft influence; the earth Gave fign of gratulation, and each hill; Joyous the birds; fresh gales and gentle airs 515 Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings Disporting, till the amorous bird of night 520 Thus have I told thee all my flate, and brought My story to the sum of earthly bliss Which I enjoy, and must confefs to find In all things else delight indeed, but fuch 525 Nor vehement defire; these delicacies 530 I mean of taste, fight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, 535 For well I understand in the prime end 540 Of nature her th' inferior, in the mind And inward faculties, which most excel; In outward also her resembling lefs His image who made both, and less expreffing The character of that dominion given 545 O'er other creatures; yet when I approach Her loveliness, fo abfolute she seems 550 Authority Authority and reason on her wait, As one intended first, not after made part; 555 To whom the Angel,with contracted brow. 560 Accuse not nature, fhe hath done her Do thou but thine; and be not diffident Of wisdom; she deserts thee not, if thou Dismiss not her, when most thou need'st her nigh, By attributing overmuch to things Lefs excellent, as thou thyfelf perceiv'ft. 565 570 For what admir'ft thou, what transports thee fo, Made fo adorn for thy delight the more, So awful, that with honor thou may'st love 575 Thy mate, who fees when thou art seen least wise. But if the sense of touch,whereby mankind Is propagated, seem such dear delight Beyond all other, think the fame vouchsaf'd 580 585 To cattel and each beaft; which would not be By which to heav'nly love thou may'st ascend, Not funk in carnal pleasure, for which cause Among the beasts no mate for thee was found. To whom thus, half abafh'd, Adam reply'd. In procreation, common to all kinds, More grateful than harmonious found to th'ear. What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd; Who meet with various objects, from the fenfe 595 600 605 Variously |