What day the genial angel to our sire Brought her, in naked beauty more adorn'd, More lovely, than Pandora, whom the gods Endow'd with all their gifts, and O too like In sad event, when to the unwiser son Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'd Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Thus, at their shady lodge arriv'd, both stood, Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd The God that made both sky, air, Earth, and Heaven,
Which they beheld, the Moon's resplendent globe, And starry pole: "Thou also mad'st the night, Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day, Which we, in our appointed work employ'd, Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordain'd by thee; and this delicious place For us too large, where thy abundance wants Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. But thou hast promis'd from us two a race To fill the Earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep." This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure Which God likes best, into their inmost bower Handed they went; and, eas'd the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear, Straight side by side were laid; nor turn'd, I ween, Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. Our Maker bids increase; who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and Man? Hail, wedded love, mysterious law, true source Of human offspring, sole propriety In Paradise of all things common else.
By thee adulterous Lust was driven from men Among the bestial herds to range; by thee Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Relations dear, and all the charities
Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc'd, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs us'd. Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, Casual fruition; nor in court-amours,
Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or serenade, which the starv'd lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, Blest pair; and O yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more. Now had Night measur'd with her shadowy cone Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the cherubim,
To their night watches in warlike parade; When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake.
"Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south With strictest watch; these other wheel the north; Our circuit meets full west." As flame they part Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. From these two strong and subtle spirits he call'd That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge. "Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook ;
But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. This evening from the Sun's decline arriv'd, Who tells of some infernal spirit seen Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd The bars of Hell, on errand bad no doubt: Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring." So saying, on he led his radiant files, Dazzling the Moon; these to the bower direct In search of whom they sought: him there they found
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, Assaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy, and with them forge Illusions, as he list, phantasms and dreams; Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint The animal spirits, that from pure blood arise Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, Blown up with high conceits engendering pride. Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear Touch'd lightly; for no falsehood can endure Touch of celestial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness: up he starts Discover'd and surpris'd. As when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun some magazine to store Against a rumor'd war, the smutty grain, With sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air: So started up in his own shape the fiend. Back stept those two fair angels, half amaz'd So sudden to behold the grisly king;
Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon. "Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison? and, transform'd, Why sat'st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that sleep?" "Know ye not then," said Satan, fill'd with scorn, "Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar: Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, The lowest of your throng; or if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in vain." To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with
"Think not, revolted spirit, thy shape the same, Or undiminish'd brightness to be known, As when thou stood'st in Heaven upright and pure That glory then, when thou no more wast good, Departed from thee; and thou resemblest now Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul. But come, for thou, be sure, shall give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm." So spake the cherub; and his grave rebuke Forth issuing at the accustom'd hour, stood arm'd Severe in youthful beauty, added grace
Invincible: abast d the Devil mood,
And felt how awful goodness 26, 20Č BEW Virtue in her shape how lovely; saw, and pen'd His loss; but chefir to find bere observ d His lustre vistềy impaurid; yet seem'd Undaunted If I must or tend,” said be. -Best with the best, the sender not the sent, Or all at once: more glory will be won, Or less be lost" -Thy fear,” said Zephon bold, * Will save us trial what the least can do Single against the wicked, and thence weak"! The fiend replied not, overcome with rage; Bat, like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, Gabriel, from the front thus call'd aloud.
“O friends! I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade; And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded splendor wan; who by his gait And fierce demeanor seems the prince of Hell, Not likely to part hence without contest; Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.”
He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd. And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couch'd.
To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake. "Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd| To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge Of others, who approve not to transgress By thy example, but have power and right To question thy bold entrance on this place; Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those
Sevenfold, and scourge that wisdom bark to Hell Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain Can equal anger inftine proTOR C
But wherefore thos alone! wherefore with thee ¡Came not all Hell broke loose is pain to them Lew pain, less to be filed; or thou than they Lew hardy to endure' courageous chief! The first in fight from pain' hadst thou alleg'd To thy deserted host thus cause of flight, Thou surely hadst not come soje fuguve." To which the fiend thus answer'd, frowning stern -Not that I less endure or shrink from pain, Insulting angel: well thou know'st I stood Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid The blasting vollied thunder made all speed, And seconded thy else not dreaded spear. But still thy words at random, as before, Argue thy inexperience what beboves From hard assays and ill successes past A faithful leader, not to hazard all Through ways of danger by himself untried. I therefore, I alone first undertook To wing the desolate abyss, and spy This new-created world, whereof in Hell Fame is not silent, here in hope to End Better abode, and my afflicted powers To settle here on Earth, or in mid air; Though for possession put to try once more What thou and thy gay legions dare against; Whose easier business were to serve their Lord High up in Heaven, with songs to hymn his throne, And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight."
To whom the warrior-angel soon replied, To say and straight unsay, pretending first Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy, Argues no leader but a liar trac'd, Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd!
Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?"Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?
To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow. "Gabriel! thou hadst in Heaven the esteem of wise, And such I held thee; but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Though thither doom'd? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt,
And boldly venture to whatever place
Army of fiends, fit body to fit head. Was this your discipline and faith engag'd, Your military obedience, to dissolve Allegiance to the acknowledged Power supren. And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst see Patron of liberty, who more than thou Once fawn'd, and cring'd, and servilely ador'd Heaven's awful Monarch? wherefore, but in ope
Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to To dispossess him, and thyself to reign?
Torment with ease, and soonest recompense Dole with delight, which in this place I sought; To thee no reason, who know'st only good, But evil hast not tried: and wilt object His will who bound us? Let him surer bar His iron gates, if he intends our stay In that dark durance: thus much what was ask'd. The rest is true, they found me where they say ; But that implies not violence or harm."
Thus he in scorn. The warlike angel moved, Disdainfully half smiling, thus replied. "O loss of one in Heaven to judge of wise Since Satan fell, whom folly overthrew, And now returns him from his prison scap'd, Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither Unlicens'd from his bounds in Hell prescrib'd; So wise he judges it to fly from pain However, and to 'scape his punishment! So judge thou still, presumptuous! till the wrath, Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight
But mark what I aread thee now: Avaunt! Fly thither whence thou fledst! If from this hour Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, Back to the infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, And seal thee so, as henceforth not to scorn The facile gates of Hell too slightly barr'd." So threaten'd he; but Satan to no threats Gave heed, but waxing more in rage replied. "Then when I am thy captive talk of chains, Proud limitary cherub! but ere then Far heavier load thyself expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though Heaven's King Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, Us'd to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels In progress through the road of Heaven star-pav'd" While thus he spake, the angelic squadron bright Turn'd fiery red, sharpening in mooned horns Their phalanx, and began to hem him round With ported spears, as thick as when a field Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind Sways them; the careful plowman doubting stands
Lest on the breshing-floor his hopeful sheaves Prove chaff. On the other side, Satan, alarm'd, Collecting al. his might, dilated stood, Like Teneriffe or Atlas, unremov'd: His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest Sat Horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp What seem'd both spear and shield: now dreadful deeds
Might have ensued, nor only Paradise In this commotion, but the starry cope Of Heaven perhaps, or all the elements At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn With violence of this conflict, had not soon The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray, Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales, yet seen Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign, Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, The pendulous round Earth with balanc'd air In counterpoise, now ponders all events, Battles and realms: in these he put two weights, The sequel each of parting and of fight: The latter quick up-flew, and kick'd the beam; Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the fiend. "Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine;
Neither our own, but given: what folly then To boast what arms can do! since thine no more Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled
To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, And read thy lot in yon celestial sign;
And temperate vape bland, which the only sound Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill matin song Of birds on every bough; so much the more His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve With tresses discompos'd, and glowing cheek, As through unquiet rest: he, on his side, Leaning half rais'd, with looks of cordial love Hung over her enamor'd, and beheld Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, Her hand soft touching, whisper'd thus: "Awake, My fairest, my espous'd, my latest found, Heaven's last best gift, my ever-new delight! Awake: the morning shines, and the fresh field Calls us; we lose the prime, to mark how spring Our tender plants, how blows the citron grove, What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed, How Nature paints her colors, how the bee Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet."
Such whispering wak'd her, but with startled eye On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake.
"O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, My glory, my perfection! glad I see Thy face, and morn return'd; for I this night (Such night till this I never pass'd) have dream'd, If dream'd, not, as I oft am wont, of thee, Works of day past, or morrow's next design, But of offence and trouble, which my mind Knew never till this irksome night: methought
Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk
If thou resist." The fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.
With gentle voice; I thought it thine: it said, Why sleep'st thou, Eve? now is the pleasant time. The cool, the silent, save where silence yields To the night-warbling bird, that now awake Tunes sweetest his love-labor'd song: now reigns Full-orb'd the Moon, and with more pleasing light Shadowy sets off the face of things; in vain, If none regard: Heaven wakes with all his eyes, Whom to behold but thee, Nature's desire? Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.' her: they come forth to their day-labors: their I rose as at thy call, but found thee not; morning hymn at the door of their bower. God, To find thee I directed then my walk; to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, That brought me on a sudden to the tree of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why Of interdicted knowledge: fair it seem'd, is enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to Much fairer to my fancy than by day: now. Raphael comes down to Paradise; his And, as I wondering look'd, beside it stood &ppearance described; his coming discerned by One shap'd and wing'd like one of those from Adam afar off sitting at the door of his bower; Heaven
he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, By us oft seen: his dewy locks distill'd entertains him with the choicest fruits of Para- Ambrosia; on that tree he also gaz'd; dise got together by Eve; their discourse at And 'O fair plant,' said he, with fruit surcharg'd table: Raphael performs his message, minds Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet, Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates, at Nor God, nor Man? Is knowledge so despis'd? Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste? came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Forbid who will none shall from me withhold Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew Longer thy offer'd good way else set here?' his legions after him to the parts of the north, This said, he paus'd not, but with venturous arm and there incited them to rebel with him, per- He pluck'd, he tasted; me damp horror chill'd suading all but only Abdiel a seraph, who in t such bold words vouch'd with a deed so bold: argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him.
Now Morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl, When Adam wak'd, so custom'd; for his sleep Was aery-light, from pure digestion bred,
But he thus, overjoy'd; 'O fruit divine,
Swee f thyself, but much more sweet thus cropt Forbic en here, it seems, as only fit For go, yet able to make gods of men: And why not gods of men; since good, the more Communicated, more abundant grows, The at or not impair'd, but honor'd more?
Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve! Partake thou also; happy though thou art, Happier thou may'st be, worthier canst not be: Taste this, and be henceforth among the gods Thyself a goddess, not to Earth contin'd, But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes Ascend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see What life the gods live there, and such live thou.' So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,
Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part Which he had pluck'd: the pleasant savory smell So quicken d appetite, that I, methought, Could not but taste. Forth with up to the clouds With him I flew, and underneath beheld The Earth outstretch'd immense, a prospect wide And various: wondering at my flight and change To this high exaltation: suddenly
My guide was gone, and I. methought, sunk down,; And fell asleep; but O, how glad I wak'd To find this but a dream!" Thus Eve her night Related, and thus Adam answer'd sad.
"Best image of myself, and dearer half, The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep Affects me equally; nor can I like This uncouth dream, of evil sprung, I fear; Yet evil whence in thee can harbor none, Created pure. But know, that in the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve Reason as chief, among these Fancy next Her office holds; of all external things, Which the five watchful senses represent, She forms imaginations, aery shapes, Which Reason, joining or disjoining, frames All what we affirm or what deny, and call Our knowledge or opinion; then retires Into her private cell, when nature rests. Oft in her absence mimic Fancy wakes To imitate her; but, misjoining shapes. Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams; Ill matching words and deeds long past or late. Some such resemblances, methinks, I find Of our last even.ng's talk, in this thy dream, But with addition strange: yet be not sad. Evil into the mind of God or Man
May come and go, so unapprov'd, and leave No spot or blame behind: which gives me hope That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream, Waking thou never wilt consent to do. Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks, That wont to be more cheerful and serene, Than when fair morning first smiles on the world; And let us to our fresh employments rise Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers That open now their choicest bosom'd smells, Reserv'd from night, and kept for thee in store." So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer'd; But silently a gentle tear let fall
From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair; Two other precious drops that ready stood, Each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell Kiss'd, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended. So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. But first, from under shady arborous roof Soon as they forth were come to open sight Of day-spring, and the Sun, who, scarce up-risen, With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean brim, Shot parallel to the Earth his dewy ray, Discovering in wide landscape all the east Of Paradise and Eden's happy plains,
Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began Their orisons, each morning duly paid In various style; for neither various style Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise Their Maker, in fit strains pronounc`d, or sung Unmeditated; such prompt eloquence
iFlow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse More tunable than needed lute or harp To add more sweetness; and they thus began. "These are thy glorious works. Parent of good, Almighty! Thine this universal frame Thus wondrous fair! Thyself how wondrous then Unspeakable, who sitst above these Heavens To us invisible, or dimly seen
In these thy lowest works; yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine. Speak, ye who best can tell, ye sons of light, Angels; for ye behold him, and with songs And choral symphonies, day without night. Circle his throne rejoicing; ye in Heaven. On Earth join, all ye creatures, to extol Him first, him last, him mist, and without end, Fairest of stars, last in the train of right, If better thou belong not to the dawn. Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere, While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. Thou San, of this great world both eye and soul, Acknowledge him thy greater; sound his praise In thy eternal course, both when thon climb`st, And when high noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st.
Moon, that now meet'st the orient Sun, now fly'st With the fix'd stars, fix'd in their orb that flies; And ye five other wandering fires, that move In mystic dance not without song, resound His praise, who out of darkness call'd up light. Air, and ye elements, the eldest birth Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run Perpetual circle, multiform; and mix And nourish all things; let your ceaseless change Vary to our great Maker still new praise. Ye mists and exhalations, that now rise From hill or streaming lake, dusky, or grey, Till the Sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold, In honor to the World's great Author rise; Whether to deck with clouds the uncolor'd sky, Or wet the thirsty Earth with falling showers, Rising or falling still advance his praise. His praise, ye winds, that from four quarters blow, Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye pines With every plant, in sign of worship wave. Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow, Melodious murmurs, warbling tone his praise. Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds, That singing up to Heaven-gate ascend, Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep; Witness if I be silent, morn or even. To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade. Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise Hail, universal Lord, be bounteous still To give us only good; and if the night Have gather'd aught of evil or conceal'd, Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark!"
So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts Firm peace recover'd soon, and wonted calm On to their morning's rural work they haste Among sweet dews ar 1 flowers; where any row
Of fruit-trees over-woody reach'd too far Girt like a s arry zone his waist, and round Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check Skirted his oins and thighs with downy gold Fruitless embraces: or they led the vine
To wed her elm; she, spous'd, about him twines Her marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dower, the adopted clusters, to adorn His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld With pity Heaven's high King, and to him call'd Raphael, the sociable spirit, that deign'd To travel with Tobias, and secur'd His marriage with the seventimes-wedded maid. "Raphael," said he, "thou hear'st what stir on Earth
Satan, from Hell 'scap'd through the darksome gulf, Hath rais'd in Paradise; and how disturb'd This night the human pair; how he designs In them at once to ruin all mankind.
Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade Thou find'st him from the heat of noon retir'd, To respite his day-labor with repast,
Or with repose: and such discourse bring on, As may advise him of his happy state, Happiness in his power left free to will, Left to his own free will, his will though free, Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware He swerve not, too secure: tell him withal His danger, and from whom; what enemy, Late fall'n himself from Heaven, is plotting now The fall of others from like state of bliss; By violence? no, for that shall be withstood; But by deceit and lies: this let him know, Lest, wilfully transgressing, he pretend Surprisal, unadmonish'd, unforewarn'd."
So spake the Eternal Father, and fulfill'd All justice: nor delay'd the winged saint After his charge receiv'd; but from among Thousand celestial ardors, where he stood Veil'd with his gorgeous wings up springing light Flew through the midst of Heaven; the angelic quires,
On each hand parting, to his speed gave way Through all the empyreal road; till, at the gate Of Heaven arriv'd, the gate self-open'd wide On golden hinges turning, as by work Divine the sovran Architect had fram'd. From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, Star interpos'd, however small, he sees, Not unconform to other shining globes,"
Earth, and the garden of God, with cedars crown'd Above all hills. As when by night the glass Of Galileo, less assur'd, observes
Imagin'd lands and regions in the Moon: Or pilot, from amidst the Cyclades Delos or Samos first appearing, kens
And colors dipt in Heaven, the third his feet Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail, Sky-tinctur'd grain. Like Maia's son he stood, And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance fill'd The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands Of angels under watch; and to his state, And to his message high, in honor rise; For on some message high they guess'd him bound Their glittering tents he pass'd, and now is come Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh, And flowering odors, cassia, nard, and balm; A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss. Him through the spicy forest onward come Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat Of his cool bower, while now the mounted Sun Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs:
And Eve within, due at her hour prepar'd For dinner savory fruits, of taste to please True appetite, and not disrelish thirst Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream, Berry or grape: to whom thus Adam call'd.
"Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape Comes this way moving; seems another morn Ris'n on mid-noon; some great behest from Heaven To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe This day to be our guest. But go with speed, And, what thy stores contain, bring forth and pour Abundance, fit to honor and receive
Our heavenly stranger; well we may afford Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow From large bestow'd, where Nature multiplies Her fertile growth, and by disburdening grows More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare." To whom thus Eve. Adam, Earth's hallow'd mould, Of God inspir'd! small store will serve, where store, All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk; Save what by frugal storg firmness gains To nourish, and superflucs moist consumes: But I will haste, and from each bough and brake, Each plant and juiciest gourd, wil pluck such choice
To entertain our angel-gtest as be Beholding shall confess, that here on Earth God hath dispeas'd his bounties as in Heaven." So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent What choice to choose for delicacy best, What order so contriv'd as not to mix Tastes, not well join'd, inelegant, but bring Taste afte taste upheld with kindliest change; Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk Whatever Eart, a bearing mother, yields In India East or West, or middle shore In Pontus or the Punic coast, or where Alcinous reign'd, fruit of all kinds, in coat Rough, or smooth rind, or bearded husk, or shell She gathers, tribute large, and on the board Heaps with ursparing hand; for drink the grape She crusnes, offensive must, and meaths
A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing, Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan Winnows the Suxom air; till, within soar Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems A phoenix, gaz'd by all, as that sole bird, When, to enshrine his relics in the Sun's Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies. At once on the eastern cliff of Paradise Ho lights, and to his proper shape returns A seraph wing'd: six wings he wore, to shade His lineaments divine; the pair that clad Each shoulder broad, came mantling o'er his breast From many a →nd from sweet kernels press'd
With regal ornament; the middle pair
She tempers & creams; nor these to hold
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