第8章 7

Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald, Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shame Of natures works, honor dishonorable, Sin-bred, how have ye troubld all mankind [ 315 ] With shews instead, meer shews of seeming pure, And banisht from mans life his happiest life, Simplicitie and spotless innocence.

So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill: [ 320 ] So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair That ever since in loves imbraces met, Adam the goodliest man of men since borne His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters Eve. Under a tuft of shade that on a green [ 325 ]

Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side They sat them down, and after no more toil Of thir sweet Gardning labour then sufficd To recommend coole Zephyr, and made ease More easie, wholsom thirst and appetite [ 330 ] More grateful, to thir Supper Fruits they fell, Nectarine Fruits which the compliant boughes

Yielded them, side-long as they sat recline On the soft downie Bank damaskt with flours: The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde [ 335 ] Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream; Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial League,

Alone as they. About them frisking playd [ 340 ] All Beasts of th Earth, since wilde, and of all chase In Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den; Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his paw Dandld the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces, Pards Gambold before them, th unwieldy Elephant [ 345 ] To make them mirth usd all his might, and wreathd

His Lithe Proboscis; close the Serpent sly Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine His breaded train, and of his fatal guile Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass [ 350 ] Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat, Or Bedward ruminating: for the Sun Declind was hasting now with prone carreer

To th Ocean Iles, and in th ascending Scale Of Heavn the Starrs that usher Evening rose: [ 355 ] When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood, Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad. O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold, Into our room of bliss thus high advanct Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, [ 360 ]

Not Spirits, yet to heavnly Spirits bright Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue With wonder, and could love, so lively shines In them Divine resemblance, and such grace The hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd. [ 365 ] Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh Your change approaches, when all these delights

Will vanish and deliver ye to woe, More woe, the more your taste is now of joy; Happie, but for so happie ill securd [ 370 ] Long to continue, and this high seat your Heavn Ill fenct for Heavn to keep out such a foe As now is enterd; yet no purposd foe To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne

Though I unpittied: League with you I seek, [ 375 ] And mutual amitie so streight, so close, That I with you must dwell, or you with me Henceforth; my dwelling haply may not please Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such Accept your Makers work; he gave it me, [ 380 ] Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfold,

To entertain you two, her widest Gates, And send forth all her Kings; there will be room, Not like these narrow limits, to receive Your numerous ofspring; if no better place, [ 385 ] Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge On you who wrong me not for him who wrongd.