66 (Sole, or responsive each to other's note,) "Singing their great Creator! Oft in bands "While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk, 685 "With heavenly touch of instrumental sounds, "In full harmonic number joined their songs "Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven." Thus talking, hand in hand alone they passed On to their blissful bower: it was a place All things to Man's delightful use the roof, Chosen by the sovereign Planter, when he framed Of thickest covert, was inwoven shade, Fenced up the verdant wall: each beauteous flower, 690 695 Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought Mosaic:2 under foot the violet, Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay Broidered the ground, more coloured than with stone Bird, beast, insect, or worm, dust enter none; 700 705 1 Acanthus, a prickly plant, with showy flowers; supposed to have suggested the ornamental Acanthus-leaf of ancient architecture. 2 Mosaic:-a kind of work in which small fragments of stone, of different colours, are placed on a common ground, in imitation of embroidery. It is called mosaic from the Ital. "mosaico," "musáico," indicating its elegance, as being connected with the muses not less than poetry or painting. 3 Of costliest emblem,—the word used in the Greek sense of "inlay," "insertion;" inlaid work being another term for mosaic. 4 Pan, the god of shepherds. Sylvanus, the god of woods. Nymph,a general name of a class of inferior goddesses who were supposed to frequent the mountains, forests, or waters; having different names assigned according to their place of residence. Faunus,-the god of husbandmen, commonly represented as in appearance partly a man, and partly a goat. Espoused Eve decked first her nuptial bed; 710 Thus, at their shady lodge arrived, both stood, The God that made both sky, air, earth, and Heaven, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep." Observing none, but adoration pure Which God likes best, into their inmost bower 715 720 725 730 735 1 Pandora-The story is, that Prometheus stole fire from Heaven. Jupiter took vengeance by sending him Pandors (meaning all gits), so called because all the gods had contributed their gifts to make her more charming. She was drought by Mercury (Hermes); Prometheus distrusted the gift, and refised it; but his brother Epimetheus, the unwiser son of Japhet, received her. His idle curiosity induced him to open the box which she carried with her, from which a crowd of evils were let loose on the earth. Umriser-used in the classical manner for not so wise as he ought to have been." 2 Thou also madest.-This sudden introduction of a speech where it was not expected, has been much admired as a great beauty. Handed they went; and, eased the putting off1 These troublesome disguises which we wear, 740 Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites 745 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! mysterious3 law, true source 750 In Paradise, of all things common else! By thee adulterous lust was driven from men 755 Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets! 760 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced, Here Love his golden shafts employs," here lights 765 1 And eased the putting off,-being exempt from the necessity of putting off, &c. 2 Hypocrites,-who, on pretence of greater purity and perfection, decry marriages. This doctrine Milton ascribes to the Devil, in allusion to 1 Tim. iv. 1-3. 3 Mysterious,-involving a mystery besides the plain precept. Compare Ephes. v. 32. Sole propriety...of all things,-the only exclusive right among all things common. 4 All the charities,-all the endearing ties of social relations in families and communities. 5 See Heb. xiii. 4. 6 Here Love his golden shafts employs,-Cupid, the miniature divinity, who was fabled to inspire love, was said to employ a sharp-pointed golden arrow for that purpose, and a leaden blunt one to expel it. Otis loveless, oviess unendeared, Urreau's wait de sarved over sings 770 775 "But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 790 "Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm,1 "This evening from the sun's decline arrived, "Who tells of some infernal spirit seen "Hitherward bent, (who could have thought?) escaped "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 795 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 تاريخ The animal spirits, that from pure blood arise, 805 Like gentle breaths from rivers pure; thence raise, Blown up with high conceits engendering pride. 610 815 $20 |