Had it been only coveting to eye That sacred fruit, facred to abstinence, Much more to taste it under ban to touch. 925 But past who can recall, or done undo? 930 Made common and unhallow'd ere our taste; Lives, as thou faidft, and gains to live as Man Higher degree of life, inducement strong To us, as likely tasting to attain 935 Proportional afcent, which cannot be 940 Not well conceiv'd of God, who though his power 945 Creation could repeat, yet would be loath Us to abolish, left the Adversary Triumph and fay; Fickle their ftate whom God 950 Certain Certain to undergo like doom; if death 955 The bond of nature draw me to my own, My own in thee, for what thou art is mine; One flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself. So Adam, and thus Eve to him reply'd.. O glorious trial of exceeding love, Illuftrious evidence, example high! Engaging me to emulate, but fhort Of thy perfection, how fhall I attain, 960 Adam? from whose dear fide I boast me sprung, 965 And gladly of our union hear thee speak, One heart, one foul in both; whereof good proof Rather than death or ought than death more dread Shall feparate us, link'd in love fo dear, 970 To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, If any be, of tafting this fair fruit, Whofe virtue (for of good still good proceeds, Direct, or by occafion) hath prefented This happy trial of thy love, which elfe 975 So eminently never had been known. Were it I thought death menac'd would enfue The worst, and not perfuade thee, rather die 98a So faithful love unequal'd; but I feel Far otherwife th' event, not death, but life Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys, 985 Hath touch'd my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh. 990 995 So faying, the embrac'd him, and for joy Tenderly wept, much won that he his love Had fo ennobled, as of choice to' incur Divine difpleasure for her fake, or death. In recompenfe (for fuch compliance bad Such recompenfe heft merits) from the bough She gave him of that fair enticing fruit With liberal hand: he fcrupled not to eat Again his better knowledge, not deceiv'd, But fondly overcome with female charm. Earth trembled from her entrails, as again In pangs, and Nature gave a fecond groan, Sky lour'd, and muttering thunder, fome fad drops Wept at completing of the mortal fin 1000 They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel Divinity within them breeding wings, 1010 Wherewith to fcorn the earth: but that false fruit Carnal Carnal defire inflaming; he on Eve Began to caft lascivious eyes, the him As wantonly repaid; in luft they burn: Yield thee, fo well this day thou haft purvey'd. 1015 1020 1025 1030 So faid he, and forbore not glance or toy Of amorous intent, well understood 1035 Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire. Her hand he feiz'd, and to a fhady bank, Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr'd, He led her, nothing loath; flow'rs were the couch, 1040 And hyacinth, earth's freshest softest lap. There they their fill of love and love's disport D 3 Took Took largely, of their mutual guilt the seal, Opprefs'd them, wearied with their amorous play. 1045 That with exhilarating vapor bland About their fpirits had play'd, and inmost powers As from unreft, and each the other viewing, Had fhadow'd them from knowing ill, was gone, 1055 And honor from about them, naked left To guilty fhame; he cover'd, but his robe Of Philiftéan Dalilah, and wak'd Shorn of his ftrength. They destitute and bare Confounded long they fat, as ftrucken mute, 1060 Till Adam, though not less than Eve abash'd, 1065 1070 Bad |