T

"And givest access, though secret she retire "And I perhaps am secret; Heaven is high,

66

66

High, and remote to see from thence distinct "Each thing on Earth; and other care, perhaps, May have diverted from continual watch "Our great Forbidder, safe with all his spies "About him. But to Adam in what sort "Shall I appear? Shall I to him make known "As yet my change, and give him to partake "Full happiness with me, or rather not, "But keep the odds of knowledge in my power "Without copartner? so to add what wants "In female sex, the more to draw his love, "And render me more equal; and perhaps, "A thing not undesirable, sometime

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Superior; for, inferior, who is free?

"This may be well. But what if God have seen
"And death ensue? then I shall be no more!
"And Adam, wedded to another Eve,
"Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct;
"A death to think! Confirmed then I resolve,
"Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe:
"So dear I love him, that with him all deaths
"I could endure; without him live no life."

So saying, from the tree her step she turned;
But first low reverence done, as to the Power
That dwelt within, whose presence had infused
Into the plant sciential sap, derived

From nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while,
Waiting desirous her return, had wove

Of choicest flowers a garland, to adorn
Her tresses, and her rural labours crown;
As reapers oft are wont their harvest queen.
Great joy he promised to his thoughts, and new
Solace in her return, so long delayed.

Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill,
Misgave him; he the faltering measure felt;
And forth to meet her went, the way she took
That morn when first they parted: by the tree
Of knowledge he must pass; there he her met,

810

820

830

840