Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.

To first of women Eve thus moving speech,

In some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play,

That made us, and for us this ample World

From us no other service then to keep [ 420 ]

But let us ever praise him, and extoll

That raisd us from the dust and plact us here

Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,

Whence rushing he might surest

九九藏书网

seize them both

The only sign of our obedience left

Down he alights among the sportful Herd

By conquering this new World, compels me now

In all this happiness, who at his hand

Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power

Honour and Empire with revenge enlargd, [ 390 ]

To prune these growing Plants, and tend these Flours,

A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,

O99lib.netne easie prohibition, who enjoy

This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees

Be infinitly good, and of his good

God hath pronounct it death to taste that Tree,

In Paradise that bear delicious fruit

His bountie, following our delightful task

Unlimited of manifold delights: [ 435 ]

Free leave so large to all things else, and choice

The Tyrants plea, excusd his devilish dee99lib•netds.

His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground

By word or action markt: about them round

Gript in each paw: when Adam first of men

As liberal and free as infinite, [ 415 ]

And should I at your harmless innocence

Now other, as thir shape servd best his end

Among so many signes of power and rule

So various, not to taste that onely Tree

Neerer to view his prey, and unespid

Of know

九_九_藏_书_网

ledge, planted by the Tree of Life,

Aught whereof hee hath need, hee who requires

To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.

To mark what of thir state he more might learn [ 400 ]

Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,

Have nothing merited, nor can performe

Strait couches close, then rising changes oft [ 405 ]

So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,

Conferrd upon us, and Dom９９lｉb•nｅtinion givn [ 430 ]

Turnd him all eare to hear new utterance flow. [ 410 ]

Then as a Tyger, who by chance hath spid

So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is, [ 425 ]

Earth, Aire, and Sea. Then let us not think hard

Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst

Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,

Over all other Creatures that possess

Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree [ 395 ]