Over all other creatures that possess Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard One easy prohibition, who enjoy Free leave so large to all things else, and choice But let us ever praise him, and extol His bounty, following our delightful task, 435 To prune these growing plants and tend these flowers, Which were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet. 445 450 To whom thus Eve replied: O thou for whom 440 And from whom I was form'd, flesh 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 for the happier lot, enjoying thee Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst no where find. That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awaked, and found myself reposed Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where And what I was, whence thither brought and how. Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Into a liquid plain, then stood unmoved Pure as the expanse of Heaven; I thither went With unexperienced 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 opposite A shape within the watery gleam appear'd, Bending to look on me: I started back; It started back: but pleased I soon return'd; Pleased it return'd as soon with answering looks Of sympathy and love: There I had fix'd Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire, 455 460 465 Had not a voice thus warn'd me; "What thou secst, What there thou seest, fair Creature, is thyself; With thee it came and goes: but follow me, 470 475 Than that smooth watery image: back I turn'd; 480 5 485 Seized mine: I yielded; and from that time see 490 And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. So spake our general mother, and with eyes Of conjugal attraction unreproved, And meek surrender, half embracing lean'd On our first father; half her swelling breast 495 Of her loose tresses hid he in delight, Both of her beauty and submissive charms, Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds 500 That shed May flowers; and press'd her matron lip With kisses pure: Aside the Devil turn'd For envy; yet with jealous leer malign Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plain'd: Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two, Imparadised in one another's arms, 506 The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill 510 From their own mouths: All is not theirs, it seems; 520 To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt 525 They taste and die : What likelier can ensue ? This garden, and no corner leave unspied; A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530 Some wandering Spirit of Heaven by fountain side, Or in thick shade retired, 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 succeed! So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd, But with sly circumspection, and began 535 [roam. Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where Heaven With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 540 Against the eastern gate of Paradise Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent The unarmed youth of Heaven, but nigh at hand Hung high with diamond flaming and with gold. In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given 545 - 550 555 560 This day at height of noon came to my sphere A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know 565 More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly Man, 570 575 580 Well known from Heaven; and since meridian hour No creature thence: If Spirit of other sort, So minded, have o'erleap'd these earthly bounds 585 Return'd on that bright beam, whose point now raised By shorter flight to the east, had left him there, 595 The clouds that on his western throne attend. 600 605 611 When Adam thus to Eve: Fair Consort, the hour Now falling with soft slumbrous weight, inclines 615 620 |