第18章 17

O miserable of happie! is this the end [ 720 ] Of this new glorious World, and mee so late The Glory of that Glory, who now becom Accurst of blessed, hide me from the face Of God, whom to behold was then my highth Of happiness: yet well, if here would end [ 725 ] The miserie, I deservd it, and would beare

My own deservings; but this will not serve; All that I eat or drink, or shall beget, Is propagated curse. O voice once heard Delightfully, Encrease and multiply, [ 730 ] Now death to hear! for what can I encrease Or multiplie, but curses on my head? Who of all Ages to succeed, but feeling

The evil on him brought by me, will curse My Head, Ill fare our Ancestor impure, [ 735 ] For this we may thank Adam; but his thanks Shall be the execration; so besides Mine own that bide upon me, all from mee Shall with a fierce reflux on mee redound, On mee as on thir natural center light [ 740 ]

Heavie, though in thir place. O fleeting joyes Of Paradise, deare bought with lasting woes! Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay To mould me Man, did I sollicite thee From darkness to promote me, or here place [ 745 ] In this delicious Garden? as my Will Concurd not to my being, it were but right

And equal to reduce me to my dust, Desirous to resigne, and render back All I receavd, unable to performe [ 750 ] Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold The good I sought not. To the loss of that, Sufficient penaltie, why hast thou added The sense of endless woes? inexplicable Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late, [ 755 ]

I thus contest; then should have been refusd Those terms whatever, when they were proposd: Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good, Then cavil the conditions? and though God Made thee without thy leave, what if thy Son [ 760 ] Prove disobedient, and reprovd, retort, Wherefore didst thou beget me? I sought it not

Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee That proud excuse? yet him not thy election, But Natural necessity begot. [ 765 ]