Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/186

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��PARADISE LOST

��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 Among so many signs of power and rule Conferred upon us, and dominion given 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, 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 formed 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 far the happier lot, enjoying thee Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou Like consort to thyself canst nowhere find. That day I oft remember, when from

sleep

I first awaked, and found myself reposed, Under a shade, on flowers, much wonder- ing where 451 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 seemed another

sky.

As I bent down to look, just opposite 460 A Shape within the watery gleam appeared, Bending to look on me. I started back, It started back; but pleased I soon re- turned,

��Pleased it returned as soon with answering

looks

Of sympathy and love. There I had fixed Mine eyes till now, and pined with vain

desire, Had not a voice thus warned me : ' What

thou seest, What there thou seest, fair creature, is

thyself; With thee it came and goes: but follow

me, And I will bring thee where no shadow

stays 470

Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces he Whose image thou art; him thou shalt en- joy

Inseparably thine; to him shalt bear Multitudes like thyself, and thence be

called

Mother of human race.' What could I do, But follow straight, invisibly thus led ? Till I espied thee, fair, indeed, and tall, Under a platan ; yet methought less fair, Less winning soft, less amiably mild, Than that smooth watery image. Back I

turned ; 480

Thou, following, cried'st 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: 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 excelled by manly grace 490 And wisdom, which alone is truly fair." So spake our general mother, and, with

eyes

Of conjugal attraction unreproved, And meek surrender, half-imbracing leaned On our first father; half her swelling breast 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 pressed her

matron lip With kisses pure. Aside the Devil turned

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