Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/190

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��PARADISE LOST

��What day the genial Angel to our Sire Brought her, in naked beauty more adorned, More lovely, than Pandora, whom the gods Endowed with all their gifts; and, O ! too

like

In sad event, when, to the unwiser son Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she en- snared

Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged

On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.

Thus at their shady lodge arrived, both

stood, 720

Both turned, and under open sky adored The God that made both Sky, Air, Earth,

and Heaven, Which they beheld, the Moon's resplendent

globe, And starry Pole: " Thou also madest the

Night,

Maker Omnipotent; and thou the Day, Which we, in our appointed work imployed, Have finished, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordained by thee; and this delicious place, For us too large, where thy abundance

wants 730

Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. But thou hast promised from us two a race To fill the Earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of

sleep."

This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure, Which God likes best, into their inmost

bower Handed they went; and, eased theputting-

off These troublesome disguises which we

wear, 74 o

Straight side by side were laid; nor turned,

I ween, Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the

rites

Mysterious of connubial love refused: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free

to all.

Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and Man ? Hail, wedded Love, mysterious law, true

source 750

Of human offspring, sole propriety

��In Paradise of all things common else ! By thee adulterous lust was driven from

men Among the bestial herds to raunge; by

thee,

Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother, first were

known. Far be it that I should write thee sin or

blame,

Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 760 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pro- nounced, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs

used. Here Love his golden shafts imploys, here

lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple

wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought

smile

Of harlots loveless, joyless, unindeared, Casual fruition ; nor in court amours, Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight

bal,

Or serenate, which the starved lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with dis- dain. 770 These, lulled by nightingales, imbracing

slept,

And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Showered roses, which the morn repaired.

Sleep on,

Blest pair ! and, O ! yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no

more ! Now had Night measured with her

shadowy cone

Half-way up-hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth issuing, at the accustomed hour, stood

armed

To their night-watches in warlike parade; When Gabriel to his next in power thus

spake: 781

" Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast

the south With strictest watch ; these other wheel the

north: Our circuit meets full west." As flame

they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the

spear.

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