144
��PARADISE LOST
��Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well
thou know'st God hath pronounced it Death to taste that
Tree:
The only sign of our obedience left Among so many signs of power and rule Conferred upon us, and dominion given 430 Over all other creatures that possess Earth, Air, and Sea. Then let us not think
hard
One easy prohibition, who enjoy Free leave so large to all things else, and
choice
Unlimited of manifold delights; But let us ever praise him, and extol His bounty, following our delightful task, To prune these growing plants, and tend
these flowers; Which, were it toilsome, yet with thee were
sweet." To whom thus Eve replied: " O thou
for whom 440
And from whom I was formed flesh of thy
flesh,
And without whom am to no end, my guide And head ! what thou hast said is just and
right.
For we to him, indeed, all praises owe, And daily thanks I chiefly, who enjoy So far the happier lot, enjoying thee Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst nowhere find. That day I oft remember, when from
sleep
I first awaked, and found myself reposed, Under a shade, on flowers, much wonder- ing where 451 And what I was, whence thither brought,
and how. Not distant far from thence a murmuring
sound
Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Into a liquid plain ; then stood unmoved, Pure as the expanse of Heaven. I thither
went With unexperienced thought, and laid me
down
On the green bank, to look into the clear Smooth lake, that to me seemed another
sky.
As I bent down to look, just opposite 460 A Shape within the watery gleam appeared, Bending to look on me. I started back, It started back; but pleased I soon re- turned,
��Pleased it returned as soon with answering
looks
Of sympathy and love. There I had fixed Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain
desire, Had not a voice thus warned me : ' What
thou seest, What there thou seest, fair creature, is
thyself; With thee it came and goes: but follow
me, And I will bring thee where no shadow
stays 470
Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces he Whose image thou art; him thou shalt en- joy
Inseparably thine; to him shalt bear Multitudes like thyself, and thence be
called
Mother of human race.' What could I do, But follow straight, invisibly thus led ? Till I espied thee, fair, indeed, and tall, Under a platan ; yet methought less fair, Less winning soft, less amiably mild, Than that smooth watery image. Back I
turned ; 480
Thou, following, cried'st aloud, ' Return,
fair Eve ; Whom fliest thou ? Whom thou fliest, of
him thou art, His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I
lent
Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, Substantial life, to have thee by my side Henceforth an individual solace dear: Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim My other half.' With that thy gentle hand Seized mine : I yielded, and from that time
see
How beauty is excelled by manly grace 490 And wisdom, which alone is truly fair." So spake our general mother, and, with
eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreproved, And meek surrender, half-imbracing leaned On our first father; half her swelling breast Naked met his, under the flowing gold Of her loose tresses hid. He, in delight Both of her beauty and submissive charms, Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter On Juno smiles when he impregns the
clouds 500
That shed May flowers, and pressed her
matron lip With kisses pure. Aside the Devil turned
�� �
