So Adam, and thus Eve to him replied: 960 About their spirits had play'd, and inmost powers “O glorious trial of exceeding love, Made err, was now exhal'd; and grosser sleep, Illustrious evidence, example high! Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious drcams Engaging me to emulate, but short Encumber'd, now had left them; up they rose Of thy perfection, how shall I attain, As from unrest, and, each the other viewing, 1053 Adam from whose dear side I boast me sprung, Soon found their eyes how open'd, and their minds And gladly of our union hear thee speak, 966 How darken'd; innocence, that as a veil One heart, one soul in both; whereof good proof Had shadow'd them from knowing ill, was gone, This day affords, declaring thee resolv'd, Just confidence, and native righteousness, 1056 Rather than death, or ought than death more dread, And honour from about them, naked left Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear, 970 To guilty shame; he cover'd, but his robe To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, Uncover'd more. So rose the Danite strong, If any be, of tasting this fair fruit, Herculean Samson, from the harlot-lap 1060 Whose virtue (for of good still good proceeds, Of Philistean Dalilah, and wak'd Direct, or by occasion) hath presented Shorn of his strength. They destitute and bare This happy trial of thy love, which else 975 Of all their virtue: silent, and in face So eminently never had been known. Confounded, long they sat, as strucken mute, Were it I thought death menac'd would ensue Till Adam, though not less than Eve abash'd, 1065 This my attempt, I would sustain alone At length gave utterance to these words conThe worst, and not persuade thee, rather die strain'd: Deserted, than oblige thee with a fact 980 Pernicious to thy peace, chiefly assur'd “O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give ear Remarkably so late of thy so true, To that false worm, of whomsoever taught So faithful love unequall'd: but I feel To counterfeit man's voice, true in our fall, Far otherwise th' event, not death but life False in our promis'd rising; since our eyes 1070 Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys, 985 Open'd we find indeed, and find we know Taste so divine, that what of sweet before Both good and evil, good lost, and evil got ; Hath touch'd my sense, flat seems to this, and Bad fruit of knowledge, if this be to know, On my experience, Adam, freely taste, (harsh. Which leaves us naked thus, of honour void, And fear of death deliver to the winds." Of innocence, of faith, of purity, 1075 Our wonted ornaments now soil'd and stain'd, So saying, she embrac'd him, and for joy 990 And in our faces evident the signs Tenderly wept, much won that he his love Of foul concupiscence; whence evil store; Had so ennohled, as of choice to incur Even shame, the last of evils: of the first Divine displeasure for her sake, or death Be sure then. How shall I behold the face 1080 In recompense (for such compliance bad Henceforth of God or angel, erst with joy Such recompense best merits) from the bough 995 And rapture so oft beheld those heavenly shapes She gave him of that fair enticing fruit Will dazzle now this earthly with their blaze With liberal hand: he scrupled not to eat Insufferably bright. O might I here Against his better knowledge, not deceivid, In solitude live savage, in some glade 1085 But fondly overcome with female charm. Obscur'd, where highest woods, impenetrable Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 1000 To star or sun light, spread their umbrage broad In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan; And brown as evening. Cover me, ye pines, Sky lower'd, and muttering thunder, some sad Ye cedars, with innumerable boughs Wept at completing of the mortal sin [drops Hide me, where I may never see them more. 1090 Original; while Adam took no thought, But let us now, as in bad plight, devise Eating his fill, nor Eve to iterate 1005 What best may for the present serve to hide Her former trespass fear'd, the more to sooth The parts of each from other, that seem most Him with her lov'd society, that now, Toshame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen ; [sew'd, As with new wine intoxicated both, Some tree, whose broad smooth leaves together They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel And girded on our loins, may cover round 1096 Divinity within them breeding wings 1010 Those middle parts, that this new comer, shame, Wherewith to scorn the earth: but that false fruit There sit not, and reproach us as unclean." Far other operation first display'd, Carnal desire inflaming; he on Eve - So counsell'd he, and both together went 1099 Began to cast lascivious eyes; she him Into the thickest wood; there soon they chose As wantonly repaid ; in lust they burn: 1015 The fig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown'd, Till Adam thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move: But such as at this day to Indians known In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms "Eve, now I see thou art exact of taste, Branching so broad and long, that in the ground And elegant, of sapience no small part, The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow Since to each meaning savour we apply, About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade 1106 And palate call judicious; I the praise 1020 High overarch'd, and echoing walks between; Yield thee, so well this day thou hast purvey'd. There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds From this delightful fruit, nor known till now At loop-holes cut thro' thickest shade. Those leaves True relish, tasting: if such pleasure be They gatherd, broad as Amazonian targe, 1111 In things to us forbidden, it might be wish'd, 1025 And with what skill they had, together sew'd, For this one tree had been forbidden ten. To gird their waist, vain covering if to hide But come, so well refresh'd, now let play, Their guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike As meet is, after such delicious fare; To that first naked glory! Such of late 1115 For never did thy beauty, since the day Columbus found th American, so girt Among the trees on isles and woody shores. (part With ardour to enjoy thee, fairer now Thus fenc'd, and as they thought, their shame in Than ever, bounty of this virtuous tree.” Cover'd, but, not at rest or ease of mind, 1120 They sat them down to weep; nor only tears So said he, and forbore not glance or toy Rain'd at their eyes, but high winds worse within Of amorous intent, well understood 1035 Began to rise, high passions, anger, hate, Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire. Mistrust, suspicion, discord, and shook sore Her hand he seiz'd, and to a shady bank, Their inward state of mind, calm region once 1125 Thick overhead with verdant roof imbower'd, And full of peace, now toss'd and turbulent: He led her, nothing loath; flowers were the couch, ; For understanding rul'd not, and the will Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 1040 Heard not her lore, both in subjection now And hyacinth, earth's freshest, softest lap. To sensual appetite, who from beneath, There they their fill of love and love's disport Usurping over sov'reign reason, claim'd 1130 Took largely, of their mutual guilt the seal, Superior sway: from this distemper'd breast, The solace of their sin, till dewy sleep Adam estrang'd in look and alter'd style, Oppress'd them, wearied with their amorous play. Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew'd: Soon as the force of that fallacious fruit, 1040 « Would thou nadst hearken'd to my words, and That with exhilarating vapour bland stay'd With me, as I besought thee, when that strange To whom then first incens'd, Adam replied: Immutable, when thou wert lost, not I; 1165 Of all our good, sham'd, naked, miserable. Who might have liv'd and joy'd immortal bliss, Let none henceforth seek needless cause l'approve Yet willingly chose rather death with thee? The faith they owe; when earnestly they seek 1141 And am I now upbraided as the cause Such proof, conclude, they then begin to fail." Ofthy transgressing? not enough severe, It seems in my restraint: what could I more ? 1170 To whom, soon mov'd with touch of blame, thus I warn'd thee, I admonish'd thee, foretold Eve : The danger, and the lurking enemy • What words have passed thy lips, Adam, severe! That lay in wait; beyond this had been force, Imput'st thou that to my default, or will 1145 And force upon free will hath here no place. Of wand'ring, thou call'st it, which who knows But confidence then bore thee on, secure 1175 But might as ill have happen'd thou being by, Either to meet no danger, or to find Or to thyself perhaps? Hadst thou been there, Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps Or here th'attempt, thou couldst not have discern'd I also errdin overmuch admiring Fraud in the serpent, speaking as he spake; 1150 What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought No ground of enmity between us known, No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue 1180 Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm. That error now, which is become my crime, Was I to' have never parted from thy side ? And thou th' accuser. Thus it shall befall As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. Him who to worth in woman overtrusting Being as I am, why didst not thou, the head, 1155 Lets her will rule; restraint she will not brook, Command me absolutely not to go, And left to' herself, if evil thence ensue, 1185 Going into such danger as thou saidst ? She first his weak indulgence will accuse. Thus they in mutual accusation spent END OF BOOK NINTH. · PARADISE LOST. BOOK X. THE ARGUMENT, Han's transgression knonn, the guardian angels forsake Paradise, and return up to heaven to approve their vigilance ; and are approved ; God declaring that the entrance nf Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors, who descends and gives sentence accordingly: then in pity clothes them both, and rc-ascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at the gates of hell, by wondrous sympathy, feeling the success of Satan in this nen norld, and the sin by man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of man. To make the way easier from hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over Chaos, according to the track that Satan first made ; then preparing for earth, they meet him, proud of his success, returning to hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium; in full assembly relates, with boasting, his success against man; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise: then, deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching of the fruit, . The proceedings of Sin and Death. God foretells the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but, for the present, commands his angels to make several alterations in the heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bervails : rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him : then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he ay; proves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent, and exhorts her, with him, to seek peace with the offended Deity by repentance and supplication. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Which your sincerest care could not prevent; Of Satan done in Paradise, and how Foretold so lately what would come to pass He in the serpent had perverted Eve, When first this tempter cross'd the gulf from hell. Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, I told ye then he should prevail and speed 40 Was known in heaven; for what can scape the eye On his bad errand, man should be seduc'd Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart 6 And flatter'd out of all, believing lies Omniscient? who, in all things wise and just, Against his Maker; no decree of mine Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind Concurring to necessitate his fall, Of man with strength entire, and free-will arm'd, Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 45 Complete to have discover'd and repuls'd 10 His free-will, to her own inclining left Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend, In even scale. But fallen he is; and now For still they knew, and ought to have still re- What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass member'd, On his transgression, death denounc'd that day? The high injunction not to taste that fruit, Which he presumes already vain and void, 50 Whoever tempted; which they not obeying, Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, Incurr'd (what could they less ?) the penalty, 15 By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find And, manifold in sin, deserv'd to fall. Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. Justice shall not return as bounty scorn'd. Up into heaven from Paradise in haste But whom send I to judge them? Whom but thee, Th' angelic guards ascended, mute and sad Vicegerent Son ? to thee I have transferr'd 56 For man, for of his state by this they knew, All judgment, whether in heaven, or earth, or hell. Much wond'ring how the subtle fiend had stol'n 20 Easy it may be seen that I intend Entrance unseen. Soon as th' unwelcome news Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee From earth arriv'd at heaven-gate, displeas'd Man's friend, his mediator, his design'd 60 All were who heard; dim sadness did not spare Both ransom and redeemer voluntary, That time celestial visages, yet mix'd And destin'd man himself to judge man fallen." With pity, violated not their bliss. 25 About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes So spake the Father, and unfolding bright The ethereal people ran, to hear and know Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son How all befell: they towards the throne supreme Blaz'd forth unclouded Deity; he full 65 Accountable made haste to make appear Resplendent all his Father manifest “ Father Eternal, thine is to decree, Amidst in thunder utter'd thus his voice : Mine both in heaven and earth to do thy will Supreme, that thou in me thy Son belord 70 “ Assembled angels, and ye powers return'd May'st ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge From unsuccessful charge, be not dismay'd, 35 On earth these thy transgressors, but thou know'st, Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, Whoever judg'd, the worst on me must light, When time shall be, for so I undertook To whom sad Eve, with shame nigh overwhelm'd, Before thee'; and not repenting, this obtain 75 Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge 1GÓ Of right, that I may mitigate their doom Bold or loquacious, thus abash'd, replied : On me deriv'd; yet I shall temper so “The serpent me beguild, and I did eat." Justice with mercy', as may illustrate most Them fully satisfied, and thee appease. Which when the Lord God heard, without delay Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none To judgment he proceeded on th' accurs'd Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, 81 Serpent, though brute, unable to transfer 165 Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, The guilt on him who made him instrument Convict by flight, and rebel to all law : Of mischief, and polluted from the end Conviction to the serpent none belongs." Of his creation : justly then accursid, As vitiated in nature more to know Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose 85 Concern'd not man (since he no further knew) 170 Of high collateral glory': him, thrones and powers, Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last Princedoms and dominations, ministrant, To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied, Accompanied to heaven-gate, from whence Though in mysterious terms, judg'à as then best: Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. And on the serpent thus his curse let fall : Down he descended straight; the speed of gods 90 “ Because thou hast done this, thou art accursd Time counts not, tho' with swiftest minutes wing'd. Above all cattle, each beast of the field; 176 Now was the sun in western cadence low Upon thy belly grov'ling thou shalt go, From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour And dust shalt eat all the days of thy life. To fan the earth, now wak'd, and usher in Between thee and the woman I will put The evening cool, when he from wrath more cool Enmity, and between thine and her seed; 180 Came the mild judge and intercessor both 96 Her seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his To sentence man: the voice of God they heard, heel." Now walking in the garden, by soft winds [heard, Brought to their ears, while day declin'd; they So spake this oracle, then verified And from his presence hid themselves among 100 When Jesus, son of Mary, second Eve, The thickest trees, both man and wife, till God Saw Satan fall like lightning down from heaven, Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud: Prince of the air; then rising from his grave 185 Spoil'd principalities and powers, triumph'd “ Where art thou, Adam, wont with joy to meet In open show, and with ascension bright, My coming seen far off? I miss thee here, Captivity led captive through the air, Not pleas'd, thus entertain'd with solitude, 105 The realm itself of Satan long usurp'd, Where obvious duty' ere while appear'd unsought: Whom he shall tread at last under our feet; 190 Orcome I less conspicuous, or what change (forth." Even he who now foretold his fatal bruise, Absents thee, or what chance detains ? Come And to the woman thus his sentence turn'd: “ Thy sorrow I will greatly multiply He came, and with him Eve, more loath, tho' first By thy conception; children thou shalt bring To offend, discount'nanc'd both, and discompos'd; In sorrow forth; and to thy husband's will 195 Love was not in their looks, either to God 111 Thine shall submit; he over thee shall rule." Or to each other, but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, On Adam last thus judgment he pronounc'd: Anger, and obstinacy', and hate, and guile. “Because thou' hast hearken'd to the voice of thy Whence Adam falt'ring long, thus answer'd brief : And eaten of the tree, concerning which (wife, I charg'd thee, saying, Thou shat not eat thereof :' “ I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice 116 Curs'd is the ground for thy sake; thou in sorrow Afraid, being naked, hid myself.” To whom Shalt eat thereof all the days of thy life; The gracious Judge without revile replied: Thorns also' and thistles it shall bring thee forth “My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, Unbid ; and thou shalt eat th' herb of the field, But still rejoic'd : how is it now become 120 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 205 So dreadful to thee? that thou' art naked, who Till thou return unto the ground; for thou Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the tree, Out of the ground wast taken, know thy birth, Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat." For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return." To whom thus Adam, sore beset, replied: So judg'd he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent, "O heaven! in evil strait this day I stand 125 And th' instant stroke of death denounc'd, that day Before my Judge, either to undergo Remov'd far off; then pitying how they stood 2il Myself the total crime, or to accuse Before him naked to the air, that now My other self, the partner of my life; Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, Thenceforth the form of servant to assume, I should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 As when he wash'd his servants' feet, so now, 215 By my complaint; but strict necessity As father of his family, he clad Subdues me, and calamitous constraint, Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, Lest on my head both sin and punishment, Or as the snake with youthful coat repaid; Howevet insupportable, be all And thought not much to clothe his enemies : Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou Nor he their outward only with the skins 220 Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. 136 Of beasts, but inward nakedness, much more This woman, whom thou mad'st to be my help, Opprobrious, with his robe of righteousness, And gav'st me as thy perfect gift, so good, Arraying cover'd from his Father's sight. So fit, so acceptable, so divine, To him with swift ascent he up return'd, That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140 Into his blissful bosom reassum'd 225 And what she did, whatever in itself, In glory as of old; to him appeas'd Her doing seem'd to justify the deed; All, though all-knowing, what had pass'd with man She gave me of the tree, and I did eat." Recounted, mixing intercession sweet. To whom the sov'reign Presence thus replied : Meanwhile, ere thus was sinn'd and judg'd on “Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 145 earth, Before his voice, or was she made thy guide, Within the gates of hell sat Sin and Death, 230 Superior, or but equal, that to her In counterview within the gates, that now Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame Wherein God set thee' above her, made of thee, Far into Chaos, since the fiend pass'd through, And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd 150 Sin opening, who thus now to Death began Hers in all real dignity ? Adorn'd She was indeed, and lovely to attract “O son, why sit we here each other viewing 235 Thy love, not thy subjection; and her gifts Idly, while Satan our great author thrives Were such as under government well seem'd, In other worlds, and happier seat provides Unseemly to bear rule, which was thy part 155 For us his offspring dear It cannot be And person, hadst t ou known thyself aright." But that success attends him; if mishap, Ere this he had return'd, with fury driven 240 So having said, he thus to Eve in few: [done?" By his avengers, since no place like this “Say, Woman, what is this which thou had Can fit his punishment or their revenge. Methinks I feel new strength within me rise, He, after Eve seduc'd, unminded slunk 245 To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act By Eve, though all unweeting, seconded 335 Upon her husband. saw their shame that sought With secret amity things of like kind Vain covertures; but when he saw descend The Son of God to judge them, terrified 250 He fled, not hoping to escape, but shun The present, fearing, guilty, what his wrath 340 Might suddenly inflict; that past, return'd By night, and listning where the hapless pair Sat in their sad discourse, and various plaint, Advent'rous work, yet to thy power and mine 255 Thence gather'd his own doom, which understood Not unagreeable, to found a path Not instant, but of future time, with joy 345 Over this main from hell to that new world And tidings fraught, to hell he now return'd, And at the brink of Chaos, near the foot Of this new wondrous pontifice, unhop'd Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight 350 Of that stupendous bridge his joy increas'd. By this new-felt attraction and instinct." Long he admiring stood, till sin, his fair Enchanting daughter, thus the silence broke: Whom thus the meagre Shadow answer'd soon : « Go whither fate and inclination strong 265 “O parent, these are thy magnific deeds, Leads thee; I shall not lag behind, nor err Thy trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own, The way, thou leading, such a scent I draw Thou art their author and prime architect : 356 For I no sooner in my heart divin'd, That thou on earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks Now also evidence, but straight I felt, 361 275 Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, 365 Detain from following thy illustrious track. 370 Sagacious of his quarry from so far. With this portentous bridge the dark abyss. There didst not; there let him still victor sway, 576 And henceforth monarchy with thee divide 290 Of all things parted by th' empyreal bounds, 380 Or try thee now more dang'rous to his throne.” Whom thus the prince of darkness answer'd glail: High proof ye now have given to be the race 355 Amply have merited of me, of all Mine with this glorious work, and made one realm, world Hell and this world one realm, one continent With these successes, and with them rejoice ; You two this way, among these numerous orbs Came to the sea, and over Hellespont All yours, right down to Paradise descend ; Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd, 310 There dwell and reign in bliss, thence on the earth And scourg'd with many a stroke th' indignant Dominion exercise, and in the air. 400 waves. Chiefly on man, sole lord of all declar'd, My substitutes I send ye, and create Plenipotent on earth, of matchless might Through sin to death expos'd by my exploit. If your joint power prevail, th' affairs of hell So saying, he dismiss'd them; they with speed 410 And planets, planet-struck, real eclipse The causeway to hell-gate ; on either side 415 Disparted Chaos, over-built, exclaim'd! That scorn'd his indignation : through the gate, 420 1 |