Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/303

Rh To us, in such abundance lies our choice, As leaves a greater store of fruit untouched, Still hanging incorruptible, till men Grow up to their provision, and mere hands Help to disburden Nature of her birth."
 * To whom the wily Adder, blithe and glad:

"Empress, the way is ready, and not long; Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat, Fast by a fountain, one small thicket past Of blowing myrrh and balm. If thou accept My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon."
 * "Lead then," said Eve. He leading swiftly rolled

In tangles, and made intricate seem straight, To mischief swift: hope elevates, and joy Brightens his crest. As when a wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapor, which the night Condenses, and the cold environs round, Kindled through agitation to a flame —Which oft, they say, some evil spirit attends— Hovering and blazing with delusive light, Misleads the amazed night-wanderer from his way, To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool; There swallowed up and lost, from succour far: So glistered the dire Snake, and into fraud Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the tree Of prohibition, root of all our woe;