Of thofe four-footed kinds, himself now one,
Now other, as their shape ferv'd beft his end,
Nearer to view his prey, and unefpy'd
To mark what of their flate he more might learn 400
By word or action mark'd: about them round
A lion now he fialks with fiery glare;
Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spy'd
In fame purlieu two gentle fawns at play,
Strait couches close, then rifing changes oft
His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground,
Whence rushing he right fureft feife them both
Grip'd in each paw: when Adam first of men
To first of women Eve thus moving speech,
Torn'd him all ear to hear new utterance flow. 410
Sole Partner, and fole part, of all thefe joys,
Dearer thyself than all; needs must the Power
That made us, and for us this ample world,
Be infinitely good, and of his good
As liberal and free as infinite;
That rais'd us from the dust and plac'd us here
In all this happiness, who at his hand
Have nothing merited, nor can perform
Ought whereof he hath seed, he who requires
From us no other fervice than to keep
This one, this eafy charge, of all the trees
In Paradife that bear delicious fruit
So various, not to tafle that only tree
Of Knowledge, planted by the tree of Life;
So near grows death to life, whate'er death is, 425
Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou know'ft
God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree,
The only fign of our obedience left
Among so many signs of power and rule
Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given
Over all other creatures that poffefs
Earth, air, and fea. Then let us not think hard
One eafy prohibition, who enjoy
Free leave fo large to all things else, and choice
Unlimited of manifold delights:
But let us ever praise him, and extol
His bounty, following our delightful task
To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers,
Which were it toil fome, yet with thee were sweet.
To whom thus Eve reply'd. O thou for whom 440
And from whom I was form'd flefh of thy flesh,
And without whom am to no end, my guide
And head, what thou hast said is just and right.
For we to him indeed all praises owe,
And daily thanks; I chiefly who enjoy
So far the happier lot, enjoying thee
Præeminent by fo much odds, while thou
Like confort to thyself canst no where find.
That day I oft remember, when from sleep
I first awak'd, and found myself repos'd
Under a fhade on flow'rs, much wond'ring where And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.
Not distant far from thence a murm’ring sound
Of waters iffued from a cave, and spread
Into a liquid plain, then stood unmov'd
Pure as th' expanfe of Heav'n; I thither went
With unexperienc'd thought, and laid me down
On the green bank, to look into the clear
Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky.
As I bent down to look, just oppofit
A shape within the watry gleam appear'd,
Bending to look on me: I started back,
It started back; but pleas'd I foon return'd,
Pleas'd it return'd as soon with anfw'ring looks
Of fympathy and love: there I had fix'd
Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain defire,
Had not a voice thus warn'd me, What thou seest, What there thou feeft, fair creature, is thyself;
With thee it came and goes: but follow me,
And I will bring thee where no fhadow stays
Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he
Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy
Infeparably thine, to him fhalt bear
Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd
Mother of Human Race. What could I do,
But follow strait, invisibly thus led ?
Till I efpy'd thee, fair indeed and tall,
Under a platan; yet methought less fair,
Lefs winning foft, less amiably mild,
Than that smooth watry image: back I turn'd; 480
Thou following cryd'ft aloud, Return fair Eve, Whom fly'st thou ? whom thou fly'ft, of him thou art, His flesh, his bone; to give thee be'ing I lent
Out of my fide to thee, nearest my heart,
Substantial life, to have thee by my fide
Henceforth an individual folace dear ;
Part of my foul I seek thee, and thee clame
My other half: with that thy gentle hand
Seis'd mine; I yielded, and from that time fee
How beauty is excell'd by manly grace
And wifdom, which alone is truly fair.
So fpake our general Mother, and with eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd,
And meek furrender, half embracing lean'd
On our first Father; half her swelling breaft
Naked met his under the flowing gold
Of her loofe treffes hid: he in delight
Both of her beauty and fubmiffive charms
Smil'd with fuperior love, as Jupiter
On Juna fmiles, when he impregns the clouds 500 That shed May flow'rs; and prefs'd her matron lip With killes pure: afide the Devil turn'd
For envy, yet with jealous leer malign
Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus plain'd. Sight hateful, fight tormenting! thus these two
Imparadis'd in one another's arms,
The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill
Of blifs on blifs; while I to Hell am thrut,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce defire,
Among our other torments not the least
Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines.
Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd
From their own mouths: all is not theirs it seems;
One fatal tree there stands of Knowledge call'd
Forbidden them to taste : knowledge forbidden? 515
Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord
Envy them that? can it be fin to know?
Can it be death? and do they only stand
By ignorance? is that their happy state,
The proof of their obedience and their faith?
O fair foundation laid whereon to build
Their ruin! Hence I will excite their minds
With more defire to know, and to reject
Envious commands, invented with defign
To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt 525 Equal with gods: aspiring to be such,
They taste and die : what likelier can enfue?
But first with narrow search I must walk round
This garden, and no corner leave unspy'd;
A chance but Chance may lead where I may meet
Some wand'ring fpi'rit of Heav'n by fountain fide,
Or in thick fhade retir'd, from him to draw
What further would be learn'd. Live while ye may,
Yet happy pair; enjoy, till I return,
Short pleasures, for long woes are to fucceed.
So faying, his proud step he scornful turn'd,
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