. High, and remote to see from thence distinct 815 But keep the odds of knowledge in my power 820 In female sex, the more to draw his love, A thing not undesirable, sometime Superior; for inferior, who is free? This may be well: But what if God have seen, 825 And death ensue? Then I shall be no more! And Adam, wedded to another Eve, 830 So saying, from the tree her step she turn'd; But first low reverence done, as to the Power That dwelt within, whose presence had infused Into the plant sciential sap, derived 835 From nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while, Waiting desirous her return, had wove Of choicest flowers a garland, to adorn Her tresses, and her rural labours crown; 840 As reapers oft are wont their harvest-queen. Great joy he promised to his thoughts, and new 845 850 Scarce from the tree returning; in her hand 855 Thy presence; agony of love till now Not felt, nor shall be twice; for never more Mean I to try, what rash untried I sought, The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange 860 Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear : This tree is not, as we are told, a tree Of danger tasted, or to evil unknown To open eyes, and make them Gods who taste; 865 And hath been tasted such: The serpent wise, 870 Reasoning to admiration; and with me Persuasively hath so prevail'd that I Have also tasted, and have also found The effects to correspond; opener mine eyes, 875 880 Thus Eve, with countenance blithe her story told; But in her cheek distemper flushing glow'd. 886 On the other side Adam, soon as he heard Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill Ran through his veins, and all his joints relax'd; 890 From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve Down dropp'd, and all the faded roses shed; Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length First to himself he inward silence broke : O fairest of Creation, last and best 895 Of all God's works, Creature in whom excell'd Whatever can to sight or thought be form'd, Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet! 900 The sacred fruit forbidden! Some cursed fraud 905 How can I live without thee! how forego 910 Would never from my heart: no, no! I feel 915 So having said, as one from sad dismay Recomforted, and after thoughts disturb'd Submitting to what seem'd remediless, Thus in calm mood his words to Eve he turn'd: Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve, 920 And peril great provoked, who thus hast dared, Had it been only coveting to eye That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence, Much more to taste it under ban to touch. But past who can recal, or done undo? 925 930 Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to live, as Man, Higher degree of life; inducement strong To us, as likely tasting to attain Proportional ascent; which cannot be 935 But to be Gods, or Angels demi-Gods. Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, Though threatening, will in earnest so destroy Triumph, and say: "Fickle their state whom God 940 945 950 955 960 Of thy perfection, how shall I attain, Adam, from whose dear side I boast me sprung, 965 One heart, one soul in both; whereof good proof This day affords, declaring thee resolved, Rather than death, or aught than death more dread, Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear, To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, 970 If any be, of tasting this fair fruit; Whose virtue (for of good still good proceeds, The worst, and not persuaded thee, rather die 980 Far otherwise the event; not death, but life Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys, Taste so divine that what of sweet before 985 Hath touch'd my sense flat seems to this, and harsh. On my experience, Adam, freely taste, And fear of death deliver to the winds. So saying, she embraced him, and for joy Tenderly wept; much won, that he his love 990 Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. In recompense (for such compliance bad Such recompense best merits) from the bough 995 1000 |