Morning approach'd, Eve relates to Adam her trouble fome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: they come forth to their daily labors their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render Man inexcufable, fends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free eftate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why. his enemy, and whatever elfe may avail Adam to know. Baphael comes down to Paradife; his appearance defcrib'd, his coming difcern'd by Adam afar-off, fitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, en
tertains him with the choiceft fruits of Paradife got together by Eve; their dif courfe at table: Raphael performs his mef fage, minds Adam of his fiate, and of his enemy; relates at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be fo; beginning from his first revolt in heaven, and the occafion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him; perfuading all but only Abdiel, a Seraph, who in argument diffuades and oppofes him, then forfakes him.
Now Morn, her rofy fteps in th' eaftern clime
Advancing, fow'd the earth with orient pearl, When Adam wak'd: fo cuftom'd; for his fleep Was aery-light, from pure digeftion bred, And temperate vapors bland, which th' only found Of leaves, and fuming rills, ( Aurora's fan ) Lightly difpers'd, and the shrill matin fong Of birds on every bough. So much the more His wonder was, to find unwaken'd Eve With treffes difcompos'd, and glowing cheek; As through unquiet reft: he, on his fide Leaning half-rais'd, with looks of cordial loye Hung over her enamor'd; and beheld
Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces then, with voice Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, Her hand foft-touching, whisper'd thus: Awake My faireft, my efpous'd, my lateft found, Heav'n's laft beft gift, my ever-new delight! Awake the morning shines, and the fresh field Calls us; we lose the prime, to mark how fpring Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove, What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed, How nature plaints her colors, how the bee Sits on the bloom extracting liquid fweet.
Such whifp'ring wak'd her, but with ftartled eye On Adam; whom embracing, thus she fpake. O fole ! in whom my thoughts find all repose, Tome I.
My glory, my perfection! glad I fee
Thy face, and morn return'd; for I this night, (Such night till this I never pafs'd,) have dream'd (If dream'd) not, as I oft am wont, of thee, Works of day pafs'd, or morrow's next defign: But, of offenfe, and trouble; which my mind Knew never till this irkfome night. Methought Clofe at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice; thought it thine: it said, Why fleep'st thou Eve? now is the pleasant time The cool, the filent, fave where silence yields To the night-warbling bird, that now awake Tunes fweeteft his love-labor'd fong; now reigns Full-orb'd the moon, and with more pleasant light Shadowy fets off the face of things; in vain, If none regard: heav'n wakes with all his eyes; Whom to behold but Thee, nature's defire? In whofe fight all things joy, with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty ftill to gaze.
I rofe, as at thy call; but found thee not: To find thee I directed then my walk;
And on, methought, alone I pass'd, thro' ways That brought me on a fudden to the Tree Of interdicted Knowledge: fair it seem'd, Much fairer, to my fancy, than by day : And as I wond'ring look'd, befide it stood One shap'd, and wing'd, like one of those from, Heav'n,
By us oft feen: his dewy locks diftill'd
Ambrofia; on that tree he also gaz'da.
And, O fair plant, said he, with fruit furcharg'd! Deigns none to eafe thy load, and taste thy fweet? Nor God, nor man? Is knowledge fo defpis'd? Or envy, or what referve forbids to tafte? Forbid who will, none shall from me with-hold Longer thy offer'd good: why elfe fet here? This faid, he paus'd not, but with vent'rous arm He pluck'd, he tafted: me damp horror chill'd At fuch bold words, vouch'd with a deed fo bold. But he thus, overjoy'd: O fruit divine! Sweet of thy felf, but much more sweet thus crop'd! Forbidden here, it feems, as only fit
For Gods, yet able to make Gods of men : And why not Gods of men, fince good the more Communicated, more abundant grows,
The author not impair'd, but honor'd more! Here, happy creature, fair Angelic Eve! Partake thou also happy though thou art, Happier thou may'ft be, worthier canft not be Tafte this, and be henceforth among the Gods Thy felf a Goddefs ; not to earth confin'd, But fometimes in the air, as we; fometimes Afcend to heav'n, by merit thine, and fee What life the Gods live there, and fuch live Thou. So faying, he drew nigh, and to me held, Ev'n to my mouth, of that fame fruit held part Which he had pluck'd: the pleafant favoury fmell So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought, Could not but tafte! Forthwith up to the clouds With him I flew, and underneath beheld
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