If I survey my partner, I share her tears, and echo back her sighs. To wound her with refusal: my kind heart Would teach my op'ning hand to seize the apple, But in my doubtful breast My spirit bids it close. Adam! thou wretch! how many Various desires besiege thy trembling heart! One prompts thee now to sigh; Another to rejoice; nor canst thou know Which shall incline thee most, Or sighs, or joyous favour, From woman, or from God. Eve. Yet he reflects, and wishes That Eve should now forsake Her hope of being happy In elevating man, E'en while I hold the fruit of exaltation. Adam. Tho mute, yet eloquent Are all your looks, my love; Alas! whate'er you ask, You're certain to obtain; 1 And my heart grants, before your tongue can speak. Eyes, that to me are suns, The Heav'n of that sweet face No more, no more obscure! Return! alas! return To scatter radiance o'er that cloudy cheek! Lift up, O lift thy brow From that soft mass of gold, that curls around it! Locks like the solar rays! Chains to my heart, and light'ning to my eyes! O let thy lovely tresses Now light, and unconfin'd, Sport in the air, and all thy face disclose! That paradise, that speaks a heart divine! Thy prayers are all commands: Dry, dry thy streaming eyes, and on thy lips Let tender smiles like harmless lightning play! Eve. Ah misbelieving Adam, Be now a kind receiver Of this delightful fruit! Hasten, now hasten to extend thy hand Adam. Oh my most sweet companion, Now banish from his heart The whirlpool of affliction! turn'd to him Which midst thy flow'rs and fruits, Ingenious plunderer, thou hid'st from me! Eve. Adam! behold the apple! What sayst thou? I have tasted, and yet live; Ah 'twill insure our lives, And make us equal to our God in Heav'n. We must between us eat, And when we have enjoy'd it, Then to a radiant throne, a throne of stars, Adam. Give me the pilfer'd fruit, Thou courteous pilferer! Give me the fruit, that charms thee ! And let me yield to her, Who to make me a God has toil'd and wept ! Alas! what have I done? How sharp a thorn is piercing in my heart With instantaneous anguish ! How am I overwhelm'd In a vast flood of sorrow! Eve. Alas! what do I see? Oh bitter knowledge! unexpected sight! Adam. O precious liberty! where art thou fled? Eve. Oh precious liberty! O dire enthralment ! Adam. Is this the fruit so sweet? The source of so much bitter! Say why wouldst thou betray me! Where cheerful I enjoy a blissful life? To the fierce arms of death, Thou, whom I deem'd my life? A rebel to my God, For daring to exalt me To the high gates of heav'n, I fall presumptuous to the depths of hell. Adam. Alas, what dart divine appears in heav'n Blazing with circling flame? Eve. What punishment, Wretch that I am, hangs o'er me? am I naked! And speaking still to Adam? · Adam. Am I too naked? hide me! hence! SCENE THE SECOND. Volano. Thou'rt fall'n, at length thou'rt fallen, With new support from the resplendent stars To mount to seats sublime! Adam at length thou'rt fall'n to the deep Now see thou hast attain'd To learn the distance between heav'n and hell. Now let Avernus echo, To the hoarse sound, of the funereal trumpet Joyful arise to light! And pay your homage to the prince of hell! SCENE THE THIRD. Satan, Volano, Chorus of SPIRITS, with their flags flying and infernal instruments. Volan. Man is subdued, subdued! Palms of eternal glory! |