Free in thine own arbitrement it lies. So faying, he arofe; whom Adam thus 645 650 So to be used towards fuperiors. But what ftile is that (fays the Doctor) Since to part? It means, Since we are to part. If the expreffion is abbreviated, fo was the time of Raphael's ftay with Adam. He was juft upon the point of going, and therefore Adam might choose brevity of fpeech, that he might exprefs all he had to fay before the ArchAngel withdrew himself. No need then for Dr. Bentley's emendation of this fort, 644.whom Adam thus] Adam's this fenfe therefore it is not improper fpeech at parting with the Angel has in it a deference and gratitude agreeable to an inferior nature, and at the fame time a certain dignity and greatness suitable to the father of mankind in his ftate of innocence. Addifon. 645. Follow'd with benediction. Since to part,] What's here? fays Dr. Bentley: Adam give benediction, his bleffing to an ArchAngel, when the lefs is bleffed of the better? But benediction does not fignify bleffing here in the fenfe which the Doctor gives to the word. Benedicere Domino, to bless God is a common phrafe in religious offices. And fo in a lower fenfe men may be faid to blefs Angels; for bene-ing, thanks. So Milton has explain'd diction is (properly fpeaking) only the word Parad. Reg. III. 127. giving them good words, or wifhing Glory and benediction, that is them well. See Pfal. CIX, 17. In thanks. Richardfon. 652. Sa Follow'd with valediɛtion, loath tɑ part. Pearce. as 'tis Benedition here is not bleffing, ufually understood, but well fpeak So parted they, the Angel up to Heaven From the thick fhade, and Adam to his bower. From the thick fhade, and Adam to They came. his bower.] It is very true, as Dr. Bentley fays, that this converfation between Adam and the Angel was held in the bower. For thither Adam had invited him. V. 367. Vouchsafe with us in yonder hady 644. Adam follow'd him into this bower To reft. But by bower in this place is meant his inmoft bower, as it is call'd in IV. 738. his place of reft. There was a fhady walk that led to Adam's bower. When the Angel arofe ver. fhady walk and it was from this thick fhade that they parted, and And the Angel had accepted the the Angel went up to Heaven, and invitation, ver. 375. Adam to his bower. The end of the Eighth Book. Satan having compafs'd the Earth, with meditated guile returns as a mift by night into Paradise, enters into the ferpent fleeping. Adam and Eve in the morning go forth to their labors, which Eve proposes to divide in feveral places, each laboring apart : Adam confents not, alledging the danger, left that enemy, of whom they were forewarn'd, fhould attempt her found alone: Eve loath to be thought not circumfpect or firm enough, urges her going apart, the rather defirous to make trial of her ftrength; Adam at laft yields: The Serpent finds her alone; his fubtle approach, first gazing, then speaking, with much flattery extolling Eve above all other creatures. Eve wond'ring to hear the Serpent speak, asks how he attain'd to human speech and fuch understanding not till now; the Serpent answers, that by tafting of a certain tree in the garden he attain'd both to fpeech and reason, till then void of both: Eve requires him to bring her to that tree, and finds it to be the tree of knowledge forbidden: The Serpent now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments induces her at length to eat; fhe pleas'd with the taste deliberates a while whether to impart thereof to Adam or not, at laft brings him of the fruit, relates what perfuaded her to eat thereof: Adam at firft amaz'd, but perceiving her loft, refolves through vehemence of love to perifh with her; and extenuating the trefpafs eats alfo of the fruit: The effects thereof in them both; they feek to cover their nakedness; then fall to variance and accufation of one another. |