I follow'd her; she what was honour knew,
And, with obsequious majesty, approv'd
My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower
I led her, blushing like the morn: all Heaven,
And happy constellations on that hour
Shed their selectest influence; the earth
Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill;
Joyous the birds; fresh gales, and gentle airs,
Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings
Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub,
Disporting, till the amorous bird of night
Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star,
On his hill top, to light the bridal lamp.
"Thus I have told thee all my state, and brought
My story to the sum of earthly bliss,
Which I enjoy; and must confess to find
In all things else delight indeed; but such
As, used or not, works in the mind no change,
Nor vehement desire; these delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, & flowers,
Walks, and the melody of birds; but here
Far otherwise, transported I behold,
Transported touch; here passion first I felt,
Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else
Superior, and unmoved, here only weak,
Against the charm of beauty's powerful glance.
Or nature fail'd in me, and left some part
Not proof enough such object to sustain;
Or from my side subducting, took perhaps
More than enough; at least, on her bestow'd
Too much of ornament, in outward show
Elaborate, of inward less exact.
For well I understand, in the prime end
Of nature, her the inferior, in the mind,
And inward faculties, which most excel;
In outward also, her resembling less
His image who made both, and less expressing
The character of that dominion given
O'er other creatures; yet when I approach
Her loveliness, so absolute she seems,
And in herself complete, so well to know
Her own, that what she wills to do, or say,
Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best:
All higher knowledge in her presence, falls
Degraded; wisdom, in discourse with her,
Loses discountenanced, and like folly shows;
Authority and reason on her wait,
As one intended first, not after made
Occasionally; and, to consummate all;
Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat
Build in her, loveliest, and create an awe
About her, as a guard angelic placed."
To whom the Angel with contracted brow.
"Accuse not nature, she hath done her part;
Do thou but thine, and be not diffident
Of wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou
Dismiss not her when most thou need'st her nigh,
By attributing overmuch to things
Less excellent, as thou thyself perceivest.
For what admirest thou, what transports thee so?
An outside? fair, no doubt, and worthy well.
Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love,
Not thy subjection: weigh with her thyself;
Then value. Oft-times nothing profits more
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right,
Well managed; of that skill the more thou know'st
The more she will acknowledge thee her head,
And to realities yield all her shows:
Made so adorn, for thy delight the more;
So awful, that with honour thou may'st love
Thy mate, who sees, when thou art seen least wise.
But if the sense of touch, whereby mankind
Is propagated, seem such dear delight,
Beyond all other, think the same vouchsafed
To cattle & each beast; which would not be
To them made common & divulged, if aught
Therein enjoyed were worthy to subdue
The soul of man, or passion in him move.
What higher, in her society, thou find'st
Attractive, human, rational, love still;
In loving, thou dost well; in passion not,
Wherein true love consists not; love refines
The thoughts, & heart enlarges, hath his seat
In reason, and is judicious, is the scale
By which to heavenly love thou may'st ascend,
Not sunk in carnal pleasure; for which cause
Among the beasts, no mate for thee was found."
To whom thus, half abash'd, Adam reply'd: "Neither her outside, form'd so fair, nor aught In procreation, common to all kinds, Though higher of the genial bed by far, And with mysterious reverence, I deem, So much delights me, as those graceful acts, Those thousand decencies, that daily flow
From all her words and actions, mix'd with love,
And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd
Union of mind, or in us both one soul;
Harmony, to behold in wedded pair,
More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear.
Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose
What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd,
Who meet with various objects from the sense
Variously representing; yet, still free,
Approve the best, and follow what I approve.
To love thou blamest me not; for love, thou say'st,
Leads up to Heaven, is both the way, and guide;
Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask.
Love not the heavenly Spirits, & how their love
Express they? by looks only, or do they mix
Irradiance, virtual, or immediate touch?"
To whom the Angel, with a smile, that glow'd
Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue,
Answered. "Let it suffice thee, that thou know'st
Us happy; and without love, no happiness.
Whatever pure thou, in the body, enjoy'st,
And pure thou wert created, we enjoy
In eminence, and obstacle find none,
Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars;
Easier than air with air, if spirits embrace,
Total they mix, union of pure with pure
Desiring; nor restrain'd conveyance need,
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul.
But I can now no more; the parting sun,
Beyond the earth's green cape and verdant isles
Hesperian sets, my signal to depart.
Be strong, live happy, and love; but first of all,
Him, whom to love is to obey, and keep
His great command; take heed lest passion sway
Thy judgment to do aught which else free will
Would not admit: thine, and of all thy sons
The weal or wo in thee is placed: beware.
I in thy persevering shall rejoice,
And all the Blessed: stand fast; to stand, or fall,
Free, in thine own arbitrement it lies.
Perfect within, no outward aid require;
And all temptation to transgress repel.'
So saying, he arose whom Adam thus
Follow'd with benediction. "Since to part,
Go heavenly guest, ethereal messenger,
Sent from whose sovereign goodness I adore.
Gentle to me, and affable, hath been
Thy condescension; and shall be honour'd ever,
With grateful memory: thou to mankind
Be good and friendly still, and oft return."
So parted they; the Angel up to Heaven, From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower.
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