And banish'd from man's life his happiest life, So pass'd they naked on, nor shunn'd the sight 320 330 335 Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles Wanted, nor youthful dalliance, as beseems Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, Alone as they. About them frisking play'd 340 All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw, Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, Gambol'd before them; the unwieldy elephant. 345 To make them mirth, used all his might, and wreath'd His lithe proboscis; close the serpent sly, Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine His braided train, and of his fatal guile 350 Of Heaven the stars that usher evening rose : 355 360 In them divine resemblance, and such grace The hand that form'd them on their shape hath pour'd. Ah! gentle pair, ye little think how nigh 366 Your change approaches, when all these delights Will vanish, and deliver ye to woe; More woe, the more you tas.e is now of joy; Happy, but for so happy ill secured 370 Long to continue, and this high seat your Heaven Ill fenced for Heaven to keep out such a foe As now is enter'd; yet no purposed foe 375 380 And send forth all her kings; there will be room, Not like these narrow limits, to conceive Your numerous offspring; if no better place, 385 Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge On you who wrong me not for him who wrong'd. Honour and empire with revenge enlarged, 390 By conquering this new world, compel me now So spake the Fiend, and with necessity, 395 To mark what of their state he more might learn, 400 By word or action mark'd: About them round A lion now he stalks with fiery glare; Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play, Straight couches close, then, rising, changes oft 405 410 As liberal and free as infinite; 415 That raised us from the dust, and placed us here In all this happiness, who at his hand Have nothing merited, nor can perform Aught whereof he hath need; he who requires 420 This one, this easy charge, of all the trees So various, not to taste 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'st God hath pronounced it death to taste that tree, The only sign of our obedience left, Among so many signs of power and rule Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given 430 Over all other creatures that possess Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard 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; 455 460 Pleased it return'd as soon with answering looks 465 With thee it came and goes: but follow me, 470 478 Than that smooth watery image: back I turn'd; 480 Thou following criedst aloud," Return, fair Eve; Whom fliest thou? whom thou fliest, of him thou art, His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, 485 Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim My other half:" With that thy gentle hand Seized mine I yielded; and from that time see 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 |