But such as at this duy, to Indians known,
In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms
Branching so broad and long, that in the ground
The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow
About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade
High overarch'd, and echoing walks between :
There oft the Indian herdsmen, shunning heat,
Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds
At loopeholes cut through thickest shades: Those leaves
They gather'd, broad as Amazonian targe;
And, with what skill they had, together sewed
To gird their waist vain covering, if to hi le
Their guilt and dreaded shame! O, how unlike
To that first naked glory! Such of late
Columbus found the American, so girt
With feather'd cincture; naked else, and wild
Among the trees on isles and woody shores.
Thus fenced, and as they thought, their shame in part
Cover'd but not at rest or ease of mind,
They sat them down to weep; nor only tears
Rain'd at their eyes, but high winds worse within
Began to rise, high passions, anger, hate,
Mistrust, suspicion, discord; and shook sore
Their inward state of mind, calm region once
And full of peace, now toss'd and turbulent :
For understanding ruled not, and the will
Heard not her love; both in subjection now
To sensual appetite, who from beneath
Usurping over sov'reign reason claim'd
Superior sway: From thus distemper'd breast
Adam, estranged in look and alter'd style,
Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew'd:
"Would thou hadst hearken'd to my words, and staid. With me, as I besought thee, when that strange Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn,
I know not whence possess'd thee; we had then
Remain'd still happy: not as now, despoil'd
Of all our good; shamed, naked, miserable!
Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve
The faith they owe; when earnestly they seek
Such proof, conclude, they then begin to fail.”
To whom, soon moved with touch of blame thus Eve:
"What words have pass'd thy lips, Adam, severe !
Imputest thou that to my default, or will
Of wandering as thou call'st it, which who knows
But might as ill have happen'd thou being by,
Or to thyself perhaps? Hadst thou been there,
Or hear the attempt, thou couldst not have discern'd
Fraud in the serpent, speaking as he spake;
No ground of enmity between us known,
Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm
Was I to have never parted from thy side?
As good have grown there still a lifeless rib.
Being as I am, why didst not thou, the head,
Command me absolutely not to go,
Going into such danger, as thou saidst?
Too facile then, thou didst not much gainsay
Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss.
Iladst thou been firm and fix'd in thy dissent,
Neither had I transgress'd, nor thou with me."
"To whom, then first incensed, Adam replied:
Is this the love, is this the recompense
Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve! express'd
Immutable, when thou wert lost, not I;
Who might have lived, and joy'd immortal bliss,
Yet willingly chose rather death with thee?
And am I now upbraided, as the cause
Of thy transgressing? Not enough severe,
It seems, in thy restraint; What could I more?
I warn'd thee, I admonish'd thee, foretold
'The danger, and the lurking enemy
That lay in wait; beyond this had been force
And force upon free will hath here no place.
But confidence then bore thee on; secure
Eit her to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps
I also err'd in overmuch admiring
What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought
No evil durst attempt thee; but I rue
The error now, which is become my crime,
And thou the accuser. Thus it shall befal
Him, who, to worth in women overtrusting,
Lets her will rule; restraint she will not brook
And, left to herself, if evil thence ensue,
She first his weak indulgence will accuse."
Thus they in mutual accusation spent
Uhe fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning
And of their vain contest appear'd no end.
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