148
��PARADISE LOST
��What day the genial Angel to our Sire Brought her, in naked beauty more adorned, More lovely, than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts; and, O ! too
like
In sad event, when, to the unwiser son Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she en- snared
Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged
On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Thus at their shady lodge arrived, both
stood, 720
Both turned, and under open sky adored The God that made both Sky, Air, Earth,
and Heaven, Which they beheld, the Moon's resplendent
globe, And starry Pole: " Thou also madest the
Night,
Maker Omnipotent; and thou the Day, Which we, in our appointed work imployed, Have finished, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordained by thee; and this delicious place, For us too large, where thy abundance
wants 730
Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. But thou hast promised from us two a race To fill the Earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of
sleep."
This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure, Which God likes best, into their inmost
bower Handed they went; and, eased theputting-
off These troublesome disguises which we
wear, 74 o
Straight side by side were laid; nor turned,
I ween, Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the
rites
Mysterious of connubial love refused: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free
to all.
Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and Man ? Hail, wedded Love, mysterious law, true
source 750
Of human offspring, sole propriety
��In Paradise of all things common else ! By thee adulterous lust was driven from
men Among the bestial herds to raunge; by
thee,
Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother, first were
known. Far be it that I should write thee sin or
blame,
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 760 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pro- nounced, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs
used. Here Love his golden shafts imploys, here
lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple
wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought
smile
Of harlots loveless, joyless, unindeared, Casual fruition ; nor in court amours, Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight
bal,
Or serenate, which the starved lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with dis- dain. 770 These, lulled by nightingales, imbracing
slept,
And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Showered roses, which the morn repaired.
Sleep on,
Blest pair ! and, O ! yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no
more ! Now had Night measured with her
shadowy cone
Half-way up-hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth issuing, at the accustomed hour, stood
armed
To their night-watches in warlike parade; When Gabriel to his next in power thus
spake: 781
" Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast
the south With strictest watch ; these other wheel the
north: Our circuit meets full west." As flame
they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the
spear.
�� �
