"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, 445 "And daily thanks; I chiefly, who enjoy "So far 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 450 "I first awak'd, and found myself repos'd "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 issu'd from a cave, and spread 455 "Into a liquid plain; then stood unmov'd, "Pure as the expanse of heaven: I thither went "With unexperienc'd thought, and laid me down "On the green bank, to look into the clear 460 "Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. 66 "A shape within the watery gleam appear'd, "Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire, 666 470" And I will bring thee where no shadow stays "Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd 475 "Mother of human race.' What could I do, "But follow straight, invisibly thus led, "Till I espied thee, fair indeed, and tall, "Less winning soft, less amiably mild, "Thou, following, criedst aloud, Return, fair Eve! 66 6 art, "His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent 66 6 "Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, 485 "Substantial life, to have thee by my side "Henceforth an individual solace dear: "Part of my soul, I seek thee, and thee claim, My other half!' With that thy gentle hand "Seiz'd mine: I yielded; and from that time see 490"How beauty is excell'd by manly grace "And wisdom, which alone is truly fair." So spake our general mother, and with eyes Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd, And meek surrender, half-embracing lean'd 495 On our first father; half her swelling breast Naked met his, under the flowing gold Of her loose tresses hid: he, in delight 500 On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds 505 510 For envy; yet with jealous leer malign Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus 'plain'd: "Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two, "Imparadis'd in one another's arms, 66 (The happier Eden!) shall enjoy their fill "Of bliss on bliss; while I to hell am thrust, "Where neither joy, nor love, but fierce desire, 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, 515 "Forbidden them to taste: knowledge forbidden! Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord "Envy them that? "Can it be death? Can it be sin to know? And do they only stand "By ignorance? Is that their happy state, "They taste, and die! what likelier can ensue ? 530 "A chance, but chance may lead where I may meet "Some wandering spirit of heaven, by fountain-side, "Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to draw 535 "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, Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his roam. 540 With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun The unarmed youth of heaven; but nigh at hand Hung high, with diamond flaming, and with gold. In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fir'd From what point of his compass to beware 560 Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste. 565 "Gabriel! to thee thy course by lot hath given "Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place "No evil thing approach, or enter in. "This day, at height of noon, came to my sphere "Bent all on speed, and mark'd his aery gait; 66 But, in the mount that lies from Eden north 570 "Where he first lighted, soon discern'd his looks "Alien from heaven, with passions foul obscur'd: "Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade "Lost sight of him. One of the banish'd crew, "I fear, hath ventur'd from the deep to raise 575 "New troubles: him thy care must be to find." To whom the winged warrior thus return'd. "Uriel! no wonder if thy perfect sight, "Amid the sun's bright circle where thou sitt'st, "See far and wide. In at this gate none pass 580 "The vigilance here plac'd, but such as come 585 "Well known from heaven; and since meridian hour "No creature thence: if spirit of other sort "So minded, have o'erleap'd these earthy bounds "On purpose; hard thou know'st it to exclude 66 Spiritual substance with corporeal bar. "But if within the circuit of these walks, "In whatsoever shape, he lurk of whom 590 Return'd on that bright beam, whose point now rais'd Bore him slope downward to the sun, now fallen Beneath the Azores; whether the prime orb, Diurnal; or this less volúble earth, 595 By shorter flight to the East, had left him there, The clouds that on his western throne attend. They to their grassy couch, these to their nests, 610 The starry host, rode brightest; till the moon, When Adam thus to Eve: "Fair consort! the hour 615 "Now falling with soft slumbrous weight, inclines 66 Appointed, which declares his dignity, 620"And the regard of Heaven on all his ways; "While other animals unactive range, 625 "And of their doings God takes no account. "More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth: |