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《Paradise Lost Ⅷ》


 THE ARGUMENT

    Adam inquires iial Motions, is doubtfully answerd, and ex<cite></cite>horted to search rather things more worthy of knowledg: Adam <big>九九藏书</big>assents, and still desirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what h<a>藏书网</a>e rememberd since his owion, his plag in Paradise, his talk w<code>9９ｌｉｂ?</code>ith God ing solitude and fit society, his first meeting and Nuptials wit<bdo></bdo>h Eve, his discourse with the Ahereupon; who after admonitioed departs.

 1

    THE Angel ended, and in Adams Eare

    So Charmi his voice, that he a while

    Thought him still speaking, still stood fixt to hear;

    Then as new wakt thus gratefully replid.

    What thanks suffit, or what repence [ 5 ]

    Equal have I to rehee, Divine

    Hystorian, who thus largely hast allayd

    The thirst I had of knowledge, and voutsaft

    This friendly destion to relate

    Things else by me unsearchable, now heard [ 10 ]

    With wonder, but delight, and, as is due,

    With glorie attributed to the high

    Creator; somethi o<mark>.</mark>f doubt remaines,

    Whiely thy solution  resolve.

    When I behold this goodly Frame, this World [ 15 ]

    Of Heavn ah sisting, and pute,

    Thir magnitudes, this Earth a spot, a graine,

    An Atom, with the Firmament pard

    And all her numberd Starrs, that seem to rowle

    Spaces inprehensible (for such [ 20 ]

    Thir distance argues and thir swift return

    Diurnal) meerly to officiate light

    Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,

    One day and night; in all thir vast survey

    Useless besides, reasoning I oft admire, [ 25 ]

    How Nature wise and frugal could it

    Such d<cite>.９９lｉb?</cite>isproportions, with superfluous hand

    So many nobler Bodies to create,

    Greater so manifold to this one use,

    Fht appeers, and on thir Orbs impose [ 30 ]

    Such restless revolution day by day

    Repeated, while the sedentarie Earth,

    That better might with farr less pass move,

    Servd by more hen her self, attaines

    Her end without least motion, an<cite>９９lｉb?</cite>d receaves, [ 35 ]

    As Tribute such a sumless journey brought

    Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light;

    Speed, to describe whose swiftness Number failes.

 2

    So spake our Sire, and by his tnance seemd

    Entring on studious thoughts abstruse, which Eve [ 40 ]

    Perceaving where she sat retird in sight,

    With lowliness Majesti her seat,

    And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay,

    Rose, a forth among her Fruits and Flours,

    To visit how they prosperd, bud and bloom, [ 45 ]

    Her Nurserie; they at her ing sprung

    And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew.

    Yet went she not, as not with such discourse

    Delighted, or not capable her eare

    Of what was high: such pleasure she reservd, [ 50 ]

    Adam relating, she sole Auditress;

    Her Husband the Relater she preferrd

    Before the Angel, and of him to ask

    Chose rather: hee, she knew would intermix

    Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute [ 55 ]

    With jugal Caresses, from his Lip

    Not Words alone pleasd her. O whe now

    Such pairs, in Love and mutual Honour joynd?

    With Goddess-like demeanour forth she went;

    Not unattended, for on her as Queen [ 60 ]

    A pomp of winning Graces waited still,

    And from about her shot Darts of desire

    Into all Eyes to wish her still in sight.

    And Raphael now to Adams doubt proposd

    Ben>藏书网</a>evolent and facil thus replid. [ 65 ]

    To ask or search I blame thee not, for Heavn

    Is as the Book of God before thee set,

    Wherein to read his wondrous Works, and learne

    His Seasons, Hou<cite>..</cite>rs, or Dayes, or Months, or Yeares:

    This to attain, whether Heavn move or Earth, [ 70 ]

    Imports not, if thou re right, the rest

    From Man el the great Architect

    Did wisely to ceal, and not divulge

    His secrets to be sd by them who ought

    Rather admire; or if they list to try [ 75 ]

    jecture, he his Fabric of the Heavns

    Hath left to thir disputes, perhaps to move

    His laughter at thir quaint Opinions wide

    Hereafter, when they e to model Heavn

    And calculate the Starrs, how they will weild [ 80 ]

    The mightie frame, how build, unbuild, trive

    To save appeerances, how gird the Sphear

    With 藏书网trid Etric scribld ore,

    Cycle and Epicycle, Orb in Orb:

    Alreadie by thy reasoning this I guess, [ 85 ]

    Who art to lead thy , and supposest

    That bodies bright and greater should not serve

    The less nht, nor Heavn such journies run,

    Earth sitting still,<mark></mark> when she alone receaves

    The be: sider first, that Great [ 90 ]

    ht inferrs not Excellehe Earth

    Though, in parison of Heavn, so small,

    Nlistering, may of solid good taine

    More plenty then the Sun that barren shines,

    Whose vertue on it self workes no effect, [ 95 ]

    But in the fruitful Earth; there first receavd

    His beams, unactive else, thir vigour find.

 3

    Yet not to Earth are those bright Luminaries

    Officious, but to thee Earths habitant.

    And for the Heavns wide Circuit, let it speak [ 100 ]

    The Makers high magnifice, who built

    So spacious, and his Liretcht out so farr;

    That Man may know he dwells not in his own;

    An Edifice toe for him to fill,

    Lodgd in a small partition, and the rest [ 105 ]

    Ordaind for uses to his Lord best known.

    The swiftness of those Circles attribute,

    Though numberless, to his Omnipote<mark></mark>nce,

    That to corporeal substances could adde

    Speed almost Spiritual; mee thou thinkst not slow, [ 110 ]

    Who sihe M hour set out from Heav<dfn></dfn>n

    Where God resides, and ere mid-day arrivd

    In Eden, distanexpressible

    By hat have name. But this I urge,

    Admitting Motion in the Heavns, to shew [ 115 ]

    Invalid that which thee to doubt it movd;

    Not that I so affirm, though so it seem

    To thee who hast thy dw>9９ｌiｂ?</a>elling here oh.

    God to remove his wayes from human sense,

    Placd Heavn from Earth so farr, that earthly sight, [ 120 ]

    If it presume, might erre in things too high,

    And no advantage gaine. What if the Sun

    Be tre to the World, and other Starrs

    By his attractive vertue and their own

    Incited, dance about him various rounds? [ 125 ]

    Thir wandring course now high, now low, then hid,

    Progressive, retrograde, or standing still,

    In six thou seest, and what if sevnth to these

    The Plah, so stedfast though she seem,

    Insensibly three different Motions move? [ 130 ]

    Which else to several Spheres thou must ascribe,

    Movd trarie with thwart obliquities,

    Or save the Sun his labour, and that swift

    Noal and Diurnal rhomb supposd,

    Invisible else above all Starrs, the Wheele [ 135 ]

    Of Day and Night; whieeds not thy beleefe,

    If Earth industrious of he藏书网r self fetch Day

    Travelli, and with her part averse

    From the Suns beam meet Night, her other part

    Still luminous by his ray. What if that light [ 140 ]

    Sent from her through the wide transpicuous aire,

    To the terrestrial Moon be as a Starr

    Enlightning her by Day, as she by Night

    This Earth? reciprocal, if La>.99ｌib?</a>here,

    Fields and Inhabitants: Her spots thou seest [ 145 ]

    As Clouds, and Clouds may rain, and Rain produce

    Fruits in her softnd Soile, for some to eate

    Allotted there; and other Suns perhaps

    With thir attendant Moons thou wilt descrie

    unig Male and Femal Light, [ 150 ]

    Which two great Sexes animate the World,

    Stord in each Orb perhaps with some that live.

    For such vast room in Nature unpossest

    By living Soule, desert and desolate,

    Oo shine, yet scarce to tribute [ 155 ]

    Each Orb a glimps of Light, veyd so farr

    Down to this habitable, which returnes

    Light back to them, is obvious to dispute.

 4

    But whether thus these things, or whether not,

    Whether the Sun predominant in Heavn [ 160 ]

    Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun,

    Hee from the East his flaming rode begin,

    Or Shee from West her silent course advance

    With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps

    On her soft Axle, while she paces Eevn, [ 165 ]

    And beares thee soft with the smooth Air along,

    Solliot thy thoug<big>.</big>hts with matters hid,

    Leave them to God above, him serve and feare;

    Of other Creatures, as him pleases best,

    Wherever plact, let him dispose: joy thou [ 170 ]

    In what he gives to thee, this Paradise

    And thy faire Eve; Heavn is for thee too high

    To knoasses there; be lowlie wise:

    Think onely what es thee and thy being;

    Dream not of o<cite>?９9ｌib?</cite>ther Worlds, what Creatures there [ 175 ]

    Live, in what state, ditiree,

    tehat thu<tt></tt>s farr hath been reveald

    Not of Earth onely but of highest Heavn.

    To whom thus Adam cleerd of doubt, replid.

    How fully hast thou satisfid me, pure [ 180 ]

    Intelligence of Heavn, Angel serene,

    And freed from intricacies, taught to live

    The easiest way, nor with perplexing thoughts

    To interrupt the sweet of Life, from which

    God hath bid dwell farr off all anxious cares, [ 185 ]

    And not molest us, unless we our selves

    Seek them with wandring thoughts, and notions vain.

    But apt the Mind or Fan９９ｌib?cy is to roave

    U, and of her roaving is no end;

    Till warnd, or by experieaught, she learne, [ 190 ]

    That not to know at large of things remote

    From use, obscure and suttle, but to know

    That which before us lies in daily life,

    Is the prime Wisdom, what is more, is fume,

    Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, [ 195 ]

    And renders us in things that most bbr>?９９lｉｂ.</abbr>e

    Unpractisd, unprepard, and still to seek.

 5

    Therefore from this high pitch let us desd

    A lower flight, and speak of things at hand

    Useful, whence haply mention may arise [ 200 ]

    Of somthing not unseasoo ask

    By sufferance, and thy wonted favour deignd.

    Thee I have heard relating what was don

    Ere my remembranow hear mee relate

    My Storie, which perhaps thou hast not heard; [ 205 ]

    And Day is yet not spent; till then thou seest

    How suttly to detaihee I devise,

    Inviting thee to hear while I relate,

    Fond, were it not in h藏书网ope of thy reply:

    For while I sit with thee, I seem in Heavn, [ 210 ]

    And sweeter thy discourse is to my eare

    Then Fruits of Palm-tree pleasao thirst

    And hunger both, from l<cite></cite>abour, at the houre

    Of sweet repast; they satiate, and soon fill,

    Though pleasant, but thy words with Grace Divine [ 215 ]

    Imbud, bring to thir sweetness no satietie.

    To whom thus Raphael answerd heavnly meek.

    Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of men,

    Nor tongue ineloquent; fod on thee

    Abundantly his gifts hath also pourd [ 220 ]

    Inward and outward both, his image faire:

    Speaking or mute all liness and grace

    Attends thee, and each word, each motion formes

    Nor less think wee in Heavn of thee oh

    Then of our fellow servant, and inquire [ 225 ]

    Gladly into the wayes of G<mark>?</mark>od with Man:

    Fod we see hath honourd thee, a

    On Man his Equal Love: say therefore on;

    For I that Day was absent, as befell,

    Bound on a v<var>９9ｌｉb.</var>oyage uncouth and obscure, [ 230 ]

    Farr on excursion toward the Gates of Hell;

    Squard in full Legion (suand we had)

    To see that hence issud forth a spie,

    Or enemie, while God was in his work,

    Least hee i at such eruption bold, [ 235 ]

    Destru with Creation might have mixt.

 6

    Not that they durst without his leave attempt,

    But us he sends upon his high behests

    For state, as Sovran King, and to enure

    Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut [ 240 ]

    The dismal Gates, and barricadod strong;

    But long ere our appr藏书网oag heard within

    her then the<q></q> sound of Dance or Song,

    Torment, and loud lament, and furie.

    Glad we returnd up to the coasts of Light [ 245 ]

    Ere Sabbath Eevning: so we had in charge.

    But thy relation now; for I attend,

    Pleasd with thy words hen thou with mine.

    So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire.

    For Man to tell how human Life began [ 250 ]

    Is hard; for who himself beginning knew?

    Desire with thee still loo verse

    Inducd me. As new wakt from sou sleep

    Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid

    In Balmie Sweat, which with his Beames the Sun [ 255 ]

    Soon drid, and on the reaking moisture fed.

    Strait toward Heavn my w Eyes I turnd,

    And gazd a while the ample Skie, till raisd

    By quistinctive motion up I sprung,

    As thitherward endev, and upright [ 260 ]

    Stood on my feet; about me round I saw

    Hill, Dale, and shadie Woods, and sunnie Plaines,

    And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams; by these,

    Creatures that livd, and movd, and walkd, or flew,

    Birds on the branches warbling; all things smild, [ 265 ]

    With fragrand with joy my heart oreflowd.

    My self I then perusd, and Limb by Limb

    Surveyd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran

    With supple joints, as lively vigour led:

    But who I was, or where, or from what cause, [ 270 ]

    Knew not; to speak I trid, and forthwith spake,

    My Tongue obeyd and readily could name

    What ere I saw. Thou Sun, said I, faire Light,

    And thou enlighth, so fresh and gay,

    Ye Hills and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plaines, [ 2<samp></samp>75 ]

    Ahat live and move, fair Creatures, tell,

    Tell, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here?

 7

    Not of my self; by some great Maker then,

    In goodness and in power pr?emi;

    Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, <tt></tt>[ 280 ]

    From whom I have that thus I move and live,

    Ahat I am happier then I know.

    While thus I calld, and strayd I knew not whither,

    From where I first drew Aire, and first beheld

    This happie Light, when answer urnd, [ 285 ]

    On a green shadie Bank profuse of Flours

    Pensive I sate me down; there gentle sleep

    First found me, and with soft oppression seisd

    My droused sense, untroubld, though I thought

    I then assing to my former state [ 290 ]

    Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve:

    When suddenly stood at my Head a dream,

    Whose inward apparitioly movd

    My Fancy to believe I yet had being,

    And livd: One came, methought, of shape Divine, [ 295 ]

    And said, thy Mansion wants thee, Adam, rise,

    First Man, of Men innumerable ordaind

    First Father, calld by thee I e thy Guide

    To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepard.

    So saying, by the haook me raisd, [99lｉｂ. 300 ]

    And over Fields and Waters, as in Aire

    Smooth sliding without step, last led me up

    A woodie Mountain; whose high top laine,

    A Circuit wide, enclosd, with goodliest Trees

    Planted, with Walks, and Bowers, that what I saw [ 305 ]

    Of Earth before scarce pleasant seemd. Each Tree

    Loadn with fairest Fruit, that hung to the Eye

    Tempting, stirrd in me sudden appetite

    To plud eate; whereat I wakd, and found

    Before mine Eyes all real, as the dream [ 310 ]

    Had lively shadowd: Here had new begun

    My wandring, had not hee who was my Guide

    Up hither, from among the Trees appeerd,

    Presence Divine. Rejoyg, but with aw,

    In adoration at his feet I fell [ 315 ]

    Submiss: he reard me, and Whom thou soughtst I am,

    Said mildely, Author of all this thou <bdi>9９lib.</bdi>seest

    Above, or round about thee or beh.

 8

    This Paradise I give thee, t it thine

    To Till and keep, and<u>藏书网</u> of the Fruit to eate: [ 320 ]

    Of every Tree that in the Garden growes

    Eate freely with glad heart; fear here h:

    But of the Tree whose operatis

    Knowledg of good and ill, which I have set

    The Pledge of thy Obediend thy Faith, [ 325 ]

    Amid the Garden by the Tree of Life,

    Remember what I warhee, shun to taste,

    And shuter sequence: for know,

    The day thou eatst thereof, my sole and

    Tra, iably thou shalt dye; [ 330 ]

    From that day mortal, and th<mark>.?</mark>is happie State

    Shalt loose, expelld from heo a World

    Of woe and sorrow. Sternly he pronouncd

    The rigid interdi, which resounds

    Yet dreadful in mine eare, though in my choice [ 335 ]

    Not to incur; but soon his cleer aspect

    Returnd and gracious purpose thus renewd.

    Not ohese fair bounds, but all the Earth

    To thee and to thy Race I give; as Lords

    Possess it, and all things that <cite>?99lｉb.</cite>therein live, [ 340 ]

    Or live in Sea, or Aire, Beast, Fish, and Fowle.

    In signe whereof each Bird a behold

    After thir kindes; I bring<var></var> them to receave

    From thee thir Names, and pay thee fealtie

    With low subje; uand the same [ 345 ]

    Of Fish within thir watry residence,

    Not hither summond, sihey ot ge

    Thir Element to draw the thinner Aire.

    As thus he spake, each Bird a behold

    Approag two and two, These c low [ 350 ]

    With blandishment, each Bird stoopd on his wing.

    I namd them, as they passd, and uood

    Thir Nature, with suowledg God endud

    My sudden apprehension: but in these

    I found not what <var></var>me thought I waill; [ 355 ]

    And to the Heavnly vision thus presumd.

 9

    O by what Name, for thou above all these,

    Above mankinde, ht then mankinde higher,

    Surpassest farr my naming, how may I

    Adore thee, Author of this Universe, [ 360 ]

    And all this good to man, for whose well being

    So amply, and with hands so liberal

    Thou hast provided all things: but with mee

    I see not who partakes. In solitude

    What happiness, who  enjoy alone, [ 365 ]

    Or all enjoying, what te find?

    Thus I presumptuous; and the visiht,

    As with a smile more brightnd, thus replid.

    What callst thou solitude, is not the Earth

    With various living creatures, and the Aire [ 370 ]

    Replenisht, and all these at></a> thy and

    To e and play before thee; knowst thou not

    Thir language and thir wayes? They also know,

    And reason not ptibly; with these

    Find pastime, and beare rule; thy Realm is large. [ 375 ]

    So spake the Universal Lord, and seemd

    So . I with leave of speech implord,

    And humble deprecation thus replid.

    Let not my words offend thee, Heavnly Power,

    My Maker, be propitious while I speak. [ 380 ]

    Hast thou not made me here thy substitute,<cite>藏书网</cite>

    And these inferiour farr beh me set?

    Among unequals what societie

    sort, what harmonie or true delight?

    Which must be mutual, in proportion due [ 385 ]

    Givn and receivd; but in disparitie

    The oehe other still remiss

    ot well suite with either, but soon prove

    Tedious alike: Of fellowship I speak

    Such a<samp></samp>s I seek, fit to participate [ 390 ]

    All rational delight, wherein the brute

    ot be human sort; they rejoyce

    Each with thir kinde, Lion with Lioness;

    So fitly them in pairs thou hast bind;

    Much less  Bird with Beast, or Fish with Fowle [ 395 ]

    So well verse, nor with the Ox the Ape;

    Wors then  Man with Beast, a of all.

 10

    Whereto th Almighty answerd, not displeasd.

    A nid suttle happiness I see

    Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice [ 400 ]

    Of thy Associates, Adam, and wilt taste

    No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitarie.

    What thinkst thou then of mee, and this my State,

    Seem I to thee suffitly possest

    Of happiness, or not? who am alone [ 405 ]

    From all Eternitie, for none I know

    Sed to mee or like, equal much less.

    How have I then with whom to hold verse

    Save with the Creatures which I made, and those

    To me inferiour, infinite dests [ 410 ]

    Beh what other Creatures are to thee?

    He ceasd, I lowly answerd. To attaine

    The highth ah of thy Eternal wayes

    All human thoughts e short, Supream of things;

    Thou in thy self art perfet, and in thee [ 415 ]

    Is no defice found; not so is Man,

    But in degree, the cause of his desire

    By versation with his like to help,

    Or solace his defects. hat thou

    Shouldst propagat, already infinite; [ 420 ]

    And through all numbers absolute, though One;

    But Man by number is to manibbr></abbr>fest

    His single imperfe, a

    Like of his like, his Image multiplid,

    In unitie defective, which requires [ 425 ]

    Collateral love, and deerest amitie.

    Thou in thy secresie although alone,

    Best with thy self apanied, seekst not

    Social unicatio so pleasd,

    st raise thy Cre>?9９ｌｉｂ?</a>ature to what highth thou wilt [ 430 ]

    Of Union or union, deifid;

    I by versing ot these erect

    From prone, nor in thir wayes place find.

    Thus I emboldnd spake, an<q></q>d freedom usd

    Permissive, and acceptance found, which gaind [ 435 ]

    This answer from the gratious voice Divine.

 11

    Thus farr to try thee, Adam, I leasd,

    And fihee knowing not of Beasts alone,

    Which thou hast rightly namd, but of thy self,

    Expressihe spirit within thee free, [ 440 ]

    My Image, not imparted to the Brute,

    Whose fellowship therefore u for thee

    Good reaso..n was thou freely shouldst dislike,

    And be so miill; I, ere thou spakst,

    K not good for Man to be alone, [ 445 ]

    And no supanie as then thou sawst

    Intehee, for trial onely brought,

    To see how thou couldst judge of fi<samp></samp>t a:

    What  I bring shall please thee, be assurd,

    Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, [ 450 ]

    Thy wish, exactly to thy hearts desire.

    Hee ended, or I heard no more, f<dfn></dfn>or now

    My earthly by his Heavnly overpowerd,

    Which it had long stood under, streind to the highth

    In that celestial Colloquie sublime, [ 455 ]

    As with an object that excels the sense,

    Dazld and spent, sunk down, and sought repair

    Of sleep, whistantly fell on me, calld

    By Nature as in aide, and ine eyes.

    Mine eyes he closd, but ophe<dfn>..</dfn> Cell [ 460 ]

    Of Fancie my internal sight, by which

    Abstract as in a trahought I saw,

    Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape

    Still glorious before whom awake I stood;

    Who stooping opnd my left side, and took [ 465 ]

    From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warme,

    And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound,

    But suddenly with flesh filld up and heald:

    The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands;

    Under his f hands a Creature grew, [ 470 ]

    Manlike, but different sex, so lovly faire,

    That what seemd fair in all the World, seemd now

    Mean, or in her summd up, in her taind

    And in her looks, which from that time infusd

    Sweetness into my heart, u before, [ 475 ]

    And into all things from her Aire inspird

    The spirit of love and amorous delight.

 12

    Shee disappeerd, a me dark, I wakd

    To find her, or for ever to deplore

    Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: [ 480 ]

    When out of hope, behold her, not farr off,

    Such as I saw her in my dream, adornd

    With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow

    To make her amiable: On she came,

    Led by her Heavnly Maker, though unseen, [ 485 ]

    And guided by his voior uninformd

    Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites:

    Grace was i<bdo>藏书网</bdo>n all her steps, Heavn in her Eye,

    In every gesture dignitie and love.

    I overjoyd could not forbear aloud. [ 490 ]

    This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfilld

    Thy words, Creator bounteous and benigne,

    Giver of all things faire, but fairest this

    Of all thy gifts, nor e. I now see

    Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self [ 495 ]

    Before me; Woman is her Name, of Man

    Extracted; for this cause he shall foe

    Father and Mother, and to his Wife adhere;

    And they shall be one Flesh, o, one Soule.

    She heard me thus, and though divinely brought, [ 500 ]

    Yet Innod Virgin Modestie,

    Her vertue and the sce of her worth,

    That would be wood, and not unsought be won,

    Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retird,

    The more desirable, or to say all, [ 505 ]

    Nature her self, though pure of sinful thought,

    Wrought in her bbr>藏书网</abbr>so, that seeing me, she turnd;

    I followd her, she what was Honour knew,

    And with obsequious Majestie approvd

    My pleaded reason. To the Nuptial Bowre [ 510 ]

    I led her blushing like the Morn: all Heavn,

    And happie stellations on that houre

    Shed thir selectest influehe Earth

    Gave sign of gratulation, and each Hill;

    Joyous the B<q>99lｉb?</q>irds; fresh Gales ale Aires [ 515 ]

    Whisperd it to the Woods, and from thir wings

    Flung Rose, flung Odours from the spicie Shrub,

    Disportin<bdo></bdo>g, till the amorous Bird of Night

    Sung Spousal, and bid haste the Eevning Starr

    On his Hill top, to light the bridal Lamp. [ 520 ]

 13

    Thus I have told thee all my State, and brought

    My Storie to the sum of earthly bliss

    Which I enjoy, and must fess to find

    In all things else delight indeed, but such

    As usd or not, works in the mind no ge, [ 525 ]

    Nor vehement desire, these delicacies

    I mean of Taste, Sight, Smell, Herbs, Fruits and Flours,

    Walks, and the melodie of Birds; but here

    Farr otherwise, transported I behold,

    Transported touch; here passion first I felt, [ 530 ]

    otion strange, in all enj>.</a>oyments else

    Superiour and unmovd, here onely weake

    Against the charm of Beauties powerful glan<dfn>..</dfn>ce.

    Or Nature faild in mee, a some part

    Not proof enough such Object to sustain, [ 535 ]

    Or from my side subdug, took perhaps

    More then enough; at least on her bestowd

    Too much of Or, in outward shew

    Elaborate, of inward less exact.

    For well I uand in the prime end [ 540 ]

    Of Nature <q>.</q>her th inferiour, in the mind

    And inward Faculties, which most excell,

    In outward also her resembling less

    His Image who made both, and less expressing

    The character of that Dominion givn [ 545 ]

    Ore other Creatures; yet when I approach

    Her loveliness, so absolute she seems

    And in her self pleat, so well to know

    Her own, that what she wills to do or say,

    Seems wis<bdo></bdo>est, vertuousest, discreetest, best; [ 550 ]

    All higher knowledge in her <big>..</big>presence falls

    Degraded, Wisdom in discourse with her

    Looses distnanct, and like folly shewes;

    Authority and Reason on her waite,

    As oended first, not after made [ 555 ]

    Occasionally; and to mate all,

    Greatness of mind and noblehir seat

    Build in her loveliest, and create an awe

    About her, as a guard Angelic plact.

 14

    To whom the Angel with tracted brow. [ 560 ]

    Accuse not Nature, she hath don her part;

    Do thou but thine, anbbr></abbr>d be not diffident

    Of Wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou

    Dismiss not her, when most thou  her nigh,

    By attributing overmuch to things [ 565 ]

    Less excellent, as thou thy self perceavst.

    For what admirst thou, what transports thee so,

    An outside? fair no doubt, and worthy well

    Thy cherishing, thy h, and thy love,

    Not thy subje: weigh with her thy self; [ 570 ]

    Then value: Oft times nothing profits more

    Then self esteem, grounded on just and９9lｉb? right

    Well managd; of that skill the more thou knowst,

    The more she will aowledge thee her Head,

    And to realities yi>..</a>eld all her shows: [ 575 ]

    Made so adorn for thy delight the more,

    So awful, that with honour thou maist love

    Thy mate, who sees when thou art see wise.

    But if the sense of touch whereby mankind

    Is propagated seem such dear delight [ 580 ]

    Beyond all other, think the same voutsaft

    To Cattel and each Beast; which would not be

    To them made on and divulgd, if aught

    Therein enjoyd were worthy to subdue

    The Soule of Man, or passion in him move. [ 585 ]

    What higher in her societie thou findst

    Attractive, human, rational, love still;

    In loving thou dost well, in passion not,

    Wherein true Love sists not; love refines

    The thoughts, a enlarges, hath his seat [ 590 ]

    In Reason, and is judicious, is the scale

    By which to heavnly Love thou maist asd,

    Not sunk in al pleasure, for which cause

    Among the Beasts no Mate for thee was found.

    To whom thus half abasht <mark></mark>Adam replid. [ 595 ]

 15

    her her out-side formd so fair, nht

    In procreation on to all kindes

    (Though higher of the genial Bed by far,

    And with mysterious reverence I deem)

    So much delights me as those graceful acts, [ 600 ]

    Those thousand decies that daily flow

    From all her words and aixt with Love

    And sweet pliance, which declare unfeignd

    Union of Mind, or in us both one Soule;

    Harmoo behold in wedded pair [ 605 ]

    Mrateful then harmonious sound to the eare.

    Yet these subjeot; I to thee disclose

    What inward thence I feel, not therefore foild,

    Who meet with various objects, from the sense

    Variously representing; yet still free [ 610 ]

    Approve the best, and follow what I approve.

    To Love thou blamst me not, for love thou saist

    Leads up to Heavn, is both the way and guide;

    Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask;

    Love not the heavnly Spirits, and how thir Love [ 615 ]

    Express they, by looks onely, or do they mix

    Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?

    To whom the Angel with a smile that glowd

    Celestial rosie red, Loves proper hue,

    Answerd. Let it suffice thee that thou knowst [ 620 ]

    Us happie, and without Love no happiness.

    Whatever pure thou in the body enjoyst

    (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy

    In eminence, and obstacle find none

    Of membrane, joynt, or limb, exclusive barrs: [ 625 ]

    Easier then Air with Air, if Spirits embrace,

    Total they mix, Union of Pure with Pure

    Desiring; nor restraind veyaneed

    As Flesh to mix with Flesh, or Soul with Soul.

    But I ow no more; the parting Sun [ 630 ]

    Beyond the Earths green Cape<cite></cite> and verdant Isles

    Hespereas, my Signal to depart.

    Be strong, live happie, and love, but first of all

    Him whom to love is to obey, and keep

    His great and; take heed lest Passion sway [ 635 ]

    Thy Judgment to do aught, which else free Will

    Would not admit; thine and of all thy Sons

    The weal or woe in thee is plact; beware.

    I in thy persevering shall rejoyce,

    And all the Blest: stand fast; to stand or fall [ 640 ]

    Free in thine own Arbitrement it liebbr></abbr>s.

    Perfet within, no outward aid require<tt></tt>;

    And all temptation tress repel.

    So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus

    Followd with beion. Sio part, [ 645 ]

    Go heavenly Guest, Ethereal Messenger,

    Sent from whose soodness I adore.

    Geo me and affable hath been

    Thy dession, and shall be honourd ever

    With grateful Memorie: tho<q>９9lｉb.</q>u to mankind [ 650 ]

    Be good and friendly still, and oft return.

    So parted they, the Angel up to Heavn

    From the thick shade, and Adam to his Bowre.

    <span style="cray">The End of the Eighth Book.</span>天涯在线书库《www.tianyabook.com》