Now put the beasts to flight,
And in the groves, and woods,
Precipitately drive the fish to dwell,
Adam. Fly! let us haste to fly
Up to those lofty mountains,

Where heav'n now seems at last

Satiate with ceaseless thund'ring, to repose!

END OF THE FOURTH ACT.

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE THE FIRST

THE FLESH and ADAM.

The Flesh.

If in a bosom form'd in lonely woods,

An amorous lure, the engine of deceit,

May wake a blazing spark,

And raise an inextinguishable fire;

This day to me shall shine a day of triumph,

When in desire's fierce flames

I shall behold that heart,

Which love's devouring flame yet has not touch'd. And now if aught of potency resides

In golden tresses, or a breast of snow,

A radiant eye, a cheek of rose and lily,

And teeth of pearl, and lips that vie with coral, In beauty, grace, allurements, arts, and gestures To make a wretched mortal heart, their captive, Such tresses, such a breast,

A cheek, and teeth, and lips.

And my intelligent engaging manners,
Will hold thee fetter'd in a thousand snares.
Behold, not distant far, the simple bird
I opportunely see,

Who for my tempting lure

His habitation quits and his companion,
To fall at once by amorous deceit.
O how to earth dejected,

He bends his wat'ry eyes in deep affliction;
Thou art not yet transfix'd

By my prevailing shaft, but now it seeks thee. She sings.

Dearest Adam, griev'd and fainting,

Let my song thy spirit comfort!

And with thee,

O let me

Lead a life of true enjoyment!

Gentle Adam, son of glory,

Hearken, hearken ! meek and humble

Sounds the artless song unpolish'd

That invites thee

But to kindness,

Give, O give me ease, and quiet,
Gentle Adam son of glory!

But if thou with different feelings
Wish to wound this tender bosom,
See it naked!

Strike, O cruel!

Wherefore pause you? haste to kill me!
By your hand I fall contented.

Adam. O thou all seeing Lord,

If real grief may touch thee,

Survey the contrite sinner,

Who thro' his eyes distills his heart in tears,
No! of thy mercy do not close the hand,
Since what sustains me now must fall and perish,
Behold, behold dread Lord! unhappy man,

Who from the fatal fruit

Has to encounter all the snares of hell:

Defend him he is thine, thine thou hast call'd him. And having once been thine, thou must have lov'd him. The Flesh.

Go full of terror, and desire! I must

With the impetuous be meek, and coy,

And with the timid bold, and urge him on,

Till love's keen canker worm

Prey on the simple heart,

That never yet has felt the sting of passion.

Adam. Who may this be! alas, both hope and fea

Urge me to seek, and bid me still be silent.

The Flesh.

This lowliness, and this affected coyness,
With an undaunted lover, this presumption

With one more soft and timid, are so prevailing
They seem two strong incentives

To kindle the fierce flame of love's desire.

Whence I a skillful mistress

Brandish my tongue,

And give a mortal wound.
Say why art thou so pensive,
O my most gentle Adam ? -

Adam. Restrain, restrain thy step
Whoe'er thou art, nor with thy songs inveigle
Him, who has only cause for ceaseless tears.
The Flesh.

Without thy strict injunction,
Creature of noble semblance,

To stand aloof from thee

Grieves me; I want the courage to approach
The flow'ry bloom of thy engaging face,
Fearing lest serpents in thy radiant eyes,
For ever on the watch

With stings devoid of pity, pierce my heart:
But ev'ry bitter root

That leads thee to suspicion,

I from thy breast will pluck, for know, I am The very soul of love, yes! of that love Which has induc'd thy Maker

From nothing to make all:

And since in that debas'd

Condition into which thy sorrows sunk thee,

This love alone can draw thee,

To the low world I took my flight from heav'n.