Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/374

368 But that from us aught should ascend to Heaven So prevalent as to concern the mind Of God high-blest, or to incline his will, Hard to belief may seem; yet this will prayer Or one short sigh of human breath, up-borne Even to the seat of God. For since I sought By prayer the offended Deity to appease, Kneeled and before him humbled all my heart, Methought I saw him, placable and mild, Bending his ear; persuasion in me grew That I was heard with favor; peace returned Home to my breast, and to my memory His promise, that thy seed shall bruise our Foe; Which, then not minded in dismay, yet now Assures me that the bitterness of death Is past, and we shall live. Whence hail to thee! Eve rightly called, Mother of all Mankind, Mother of all things living, since by thee Man is to live, and all things live for Man."
 * To whom thus Eve with sad demeanor meek:

"Ill-worthy I such title should belong To me transgressor, who, for thee ordained A help, became thy snare; to me reproach Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise. But infinite in pardon was my Judge, That I, who first brought death on all, am graced The source of life; next favorable thou, Who highly thus to entitle me vouchsafest,