第5章 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, Sollicit not thy thoughts 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 know what passes there; be lowlie wise: Think onely what concernes thee and thy being; Dream not of other Worlds, what Creatures there [ 175 ] Live, in what state, condition or degree, Contented that thus 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 Fancy is to roave Uncheckt, and of her roaving is no end; Till warnd, or by experience taught, 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 concerne Unpractisd, unprepard, and still to seek.