Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/169

Rh God hath dispensed bounties as in Heaven."
 * So saying, with despatchful looks in haste

She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent, What choice to choose for delicacy best, What order, so contrived as not to mix Tastes, not well joined, inelegant, but bring Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change; Bestirs her then, and, from each tender stalk Whatever earth, all-bearing mother, yields, In India East or West, or middle shore In Pontus, or the Punic coast, or where Alcinoüs reigned, fruit of all kinds, in coat Rough or smooth-rined, or bearded husk, or shell, She gathers, tribute large, and on the board Heaps with unsparing hand. For drink the grape She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressed She tempers dulcet creams; nor these to hold Wants her fit vessels pure; then strows the ground With rose and odors from the shrub unfumed.
 * Meanwhile our primitive great sire, to meet

His godlike guest, walks forth, without more train Accompanied than with his own complete Perfections; in himself was all his state, More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits On princes, when their rich retinue long Of horses led, and grooms besmeared with gold,