So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
Th
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deeds.
Then from his lofty stand on that high tree
Down he alights among the sportful herd
Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one,
Now other, as their shape served best his end
Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied,

395

To mark what of their state he more might learn, 400 By word or action mark'd: About them round

A lion now he stalks with fiery glare;

Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied
In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play,

Straight couches close, then, rising, changes oft 405
His couchant watch, as one chose his ground,
Whence rushing, he might surest seize them both,
Griped in each paw: when Adam, first of men,
To first of women, Eve, thus moving speech,
Turn'd him, all ear to hear new utterance flow:
Sole partner and sole part of all these joys,
Dearer thyself than all; needs must the Power
That made us, and for us this ample world,
Be infinitely good, and of his good

410

As liberal and free as infinite;

415

That raised us from the dust, and placed us here

In all this happiness, who at his hand

Have nothing merited, nor can perform

Aught whereof he hath need; he who requires
From us no other service than to keep

420

This one, this easy charge, of all the trees

In Paradise that bear delicious fruit

So various, not to taste that only tree

Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life.

So near grows death to life, whate'er death is,

425

Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou know'st

God hath pronounced it death to taste that tree,

The only sign of our obedience left,

Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given

Among so many signs of power and rule

430

Over all other creatures that possess

Earth, air, and sea.

Then let us not think hard

One easy prohibition, who enjoy

Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
Unlimited of manifold delights:

But let us ever praise him, and extol

His bounty, following our delightful task,

435

To prune these growing plants and tend these flowers, Which were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.

To whom thus Eve replied: O thou for whom 440 And from whom I was form'd, flesh of thy flesh, And without whom am to no end, my guide And head! what thou hast said is just and right For we to him indeed all praises owe And daily thanks; I chiefly, who enjoy So for the happier lot, enjoying thee Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst no where find. That day I oft remember, when from sleep I first awaked, and found myself reposed Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where And what I was, whence thither brought and how. Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Into a liquid plain; then stood unmoved Pure as the expanse of Heaven; I thither went With unexperienced thought, and laid me down On the green bank, to look into the clear Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. As I bent down to look, just opposite A shape within the watery gleam appear'd, Bending to look on me. I started back; It started back: but pleased I soon return'd;

445

450

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Pleased it return'd as soon with answering looks
Of sympathy and love: There I had fix'd

465

Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain desire,

Had not a voice thus warn'd me; "What thou secst, What the re thou seest, fair Creature, is thyself;

With thee it came and goes: but follow me,
And I will bring thee where no shadow stays
Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he
Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy
Inseparably thine, to him shalt bear
Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd
Mother of human race." What could I do,
But follow straight, invisibly thus led?
Till I espied thee, fair indeed and tall,
Under a platane; yet methought less fair
Less winning soft, less amiably mild,

4110

478

Than that smooth watery image: back I turn'd; 480 Thou following criedst aloud," Return, fair Eve; Whom fliest thou? whom thou fliest, of him thou art,

His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent

Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart,
Substantial life, to have thee by my side
Henceforth an individual solace dear;

485

Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim

My other half:" With that thy gentle hand

Seized mine: I yielded; and from that time see
How beauty is excell'd by manly grace,

490

Naked met his, under the flowing gold
Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight,

Both of her beauty and submissive charms,

Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter

On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds

500

That shed May flowers; and press'd her matron lip

With kisses pure: Aside the Devil turn'd

For envy; yet with jealous leer malign

Eyed them askance, and to himself thus plain'd:

Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two, Imparadised in one another's arms,

500

The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill

Of bliss on bliss: while I to Hell am thrust,
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
Among our other torments not the least,
Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines.
Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd

510

From their own mouths: All is not theirs, it seems;
Qne fatal tree there stands, of knowledge call'd,
Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidden' 515
Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord
Envy them that? Can it be sin to know?
Can it be death? And do they only stand
By ignorance? Is that their happy state,
The proof of their obedience and their faith
O fair foundation laid whereon to build
Their ruin! hence I will excite their minds
With more desire to know, and to reject
Envious commands, invented with design

520

To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt 525 Equal with Gods: aspiring to be such,

They taste and die: What likelier can ensue ?

But first with narrow search I must walk round

This garden, and no corner les ve unspied;

A chance but chance may lead where I may meet 530
Some wandering Spirit of Heaven by fountain side,
Or in thick shade retired, from him to draw

What further would be learn'd. Live while ye may,
Yet happy pair; enjoy, till I return,
Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed!

So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd,

But with sly circumspection, and began

535

[roam

Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale, his

Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where Heaven
With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 540

Slowly descended, and with right aspect

Against the eastern gate of Paradise
Levelled his evening rays: It was a rock
Of alabaster, piled up the clouds,

Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent
Accessible from earth, one entrance high;
The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung
Still as it rose, impossible to climb.
Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat,
Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night;

About him exercised heroic games

The unarmed youth of Heaven, but pigh at hand
Celestial armory, shields, helms, and spears,
Hung high with diamond flaming and with gold.
Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even
On a sunbeam, swift as a shooting star

In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fired
Impress the air, and shows the mariner
From what point of his compass to beware
Impetuous winds: He thus began in haste :

Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given
Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place
No evil thing approach or enter in.

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550

555

560

This day at height of noon came to my sphere

A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know

565

More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly Man,

God's latest image: I described his way
Bent all on speed, and mark'd his aery gait;
But on the mount that lies from Eden north,
Where he first lighted soon discern'd his looks
Alien from Heaven, with passions foul obscured:
Mine eye pursued him still, but under shade
Lost sight of him: One of the banish'd crew,
I fear, hath ventured from the deep, to raise
New troubles; him thy care must be to find.
To whom the winged warrior thus return'd:
Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight,
Amid the sun's bright circle where thou sitt'st
See far and wide: In at this gate none pass
The vigilance here placed, but such as come
Well known from Heaven; and since meridian hour
No creature thence: If Spirit of other sort,

570

575

580