And fend forth all her kings; there will be room, Your numerous offspring; if no better place, 383 On you who wrong me not for him who wrong'd. Melt, as I do, yet public reason just, Honor and empire with revenge inlarg'd,. 390 By conquʼring this new world, compels me now 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 ftalks with fiery glare; Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spy'd 405 His couchant watch, as one who chofe his ground, Whence rushing he might surest seise them both Grip'd in each paw: when Adam first of men 410 That That made us, and for us this ample world, Be infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite; 415 That rais'd us from the dust and plac'd us here Have nothing merited, nor can perform Ought whereof he hath need, he who requires 4.20 This one, this easy charge, of all the trees So various, not to taste that only tree So near grows death to life, whate'er death is, 425 Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou know'st God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree, Among fo many figns of pow'r and rule Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given Earth, air, and fea. Then let us not think hard One eafy prohibition, who enjoy Free leave fo large to all things else, and choice Unlimited of manifold delights: But let us ever praise him, and extol His bounty, following our delightful task 430 435 To prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers, Which were, it toilfome, yet with thee were sweet. To whom thus Eve reply'd. 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. Under a shade on flow'rs, much wond'ring where 445 450 455 460 A fhape within the watry gleam appear'd, 465 Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain defire, 470 Infeparably Infeparably thine, to him fhalt bear Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd Mother of human race. What could I do, 475 Than that smooth watry image: back I turn'd; 480 Thou following cry'dft aloud, Return fair Eve, Whom fly'st thou? whom thou fly'st, of him thou art, His flesh, his bone; to give thee be'ing I lent Out of my fide to thee, nearest my heart 485 Seis'd mine; I yielded, and from that time fee And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. So fpake our general mother, and with eyes Of conjugal attraction unreprov❜d, 490 And meek furrender, half embracing lean'd 495 Smil'd with fuperior love, as Jupiter On Juno fmiles, when he impregns the clouds 500 For For envy, yet with jealous leer malign Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus plain'd... + Sight hateful, fight tormenting! thus these two 505 Imparadis'd in one another's arms, The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill Of blifs on blifs; while I to Hell am thrust, 510 From their own mouths: all is not theirs it feems, Envy them that? can it be fin to know? 520 To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt 525 They taste and die: what likelier can enfue? This garden, and no corner leave unspy'd; A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530 Some wand'ring Spi'rit of Heav'n by fountain fide, Or in thick fhade retir'd, from him to draw |