Access in every, virtue; in thy fight
More wife, more watchful, stronger, (if need were
Of outward strength) while shame, thou looking on,
Shame to be overcome, or over-reach'd,
Would utmost vigor raife, and rais'd unite.
Why shouldst not thou like fense within thee feel 315
When I'am present, and the tryal chuse
With me., best witness of thy virtue try'd?
So fpake domestic ADAM in his care, And matrimonial love: but EVE, who thought.. Less attributed to her faith fincere,
Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'd.
If this be our condition, thus to dwell
In narrow circuit straiten'd by a foe,
Subtile or violent, we not indu'd
Single with like defence, where-ever met;
How are we happy, still in fear of harm?
But harm precedes not fin: only our foe
Tempting, affronts us with his foul esteem
Of our integrity: his foul esteem
Sticks no dishonor on our front, but turns
Foul on himself: then wherefore shunn'd or fear'd
By us? who rather double honor gain
From his furmise prov'd false, find peace within, Favor from Heav'n, our witness, from th'event.
And what is faith, love, virtue unaffay'd
Alone, without exterior help fuftain'd?
Let us not then fufpect our happy state
Left so imperfect by the Maker wife,
As not fecure to fingle, or combin'd;
Frail is our happiness, if this be fo,
And EDEN were no EDEN thus expos'd.
To whom thus ADAM fervently reply'd.
O woman! best are all things as the will
Of Gop ordain'd them: His creating hand
Nothing imperfect or deficient left,
Of all that he created; much less man,
Or ought that might his happy state fecure:
Secure from outward force; within himself.
The danger lyes, yet lyes within his pow'r.
Against his will he can receive no harm;
But God left free the will; for what obeys
Reason, is free; and reason he made right:...
But bid her well beware, and still erect;
Lest by some fair appearing good furpriz'd,
She dictate false, and misinform the will
To do what God exprefly hath forbid.
Not then mistrust, but tender love injoins,
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.
Firm we subsist, yet poffible to fwerve,
Since reason not impoffible may meet
Some specious object, by the foe fuborn'd;
And fall into deception unaware,
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd.
Seek not temptation then, which to avoid
Were better, and most likely, if from me
Thou fever not; tryall will come unfought."
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? approve
First thy obedience; th' other who can know,
Not seeing thee attempted? who attest?
But if thou think, tryal unfought may find
Us both fecurer, than thus warn'd thou seem'ft ---
Go! for thy stay, not free, absents thee more;
Go in thy native innocence! rely
On what thou hast of virtue; fummon all:
For God tow'rds thee hath done his part, do thine,
So spake the patriarch of mankind; but EVE 376 Persisted, yet fubmifs, though last, reply'd.
With thy permission then, and thus forewarn'd, Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words, Touch'd only; that our tryal, when least fought, 380
May find us both perhaps far less prepar'd,
The willinger I go: nor much expect
A foe so proud will first the weaker seek;
So bent, the more thall shame him his repulfe.
Thus saying, from her husband's hand her hand 385
Soft she withdrew; and like a Wood-Nymph light
OREAD, or DRYAD, or of DELIA'S train,
Betook her to the groves: but DELIA'S felf
In gait furpass'd, and Goddess-like deport;
Though not, as the, with bow and quiver arm'd; 390
But with fuch gard'ning-tools as art, yet rude,
Guiltless of fire had form'd, or Angels brought.
TO PALES, or POMONA thus adorn'd,
Likelieft the feem'd, (POMONA, when the fled
VERTUMNUS) or to CERES in her prime, 395
Yet virgin of PROSERPINA from JOVE.
Her long with ardent look his eye perfu'd
Delighted, but defiring more her ftay:
Oft he to her his charge of quick return
Repeated; the to him as oft engag'd
To be return'd by noon amid the bow'r;
And all things in best order, to invite
Noontide repast, or afternoon's repose,
O much deceiv'd, much failing, (hapless EVE!)
Of thy prefum'd return! event perverfe!
Thou never from that hour in Paradite
Foundst either sweet repait, or found repofe!
Such ambush, laid among fweet flow'rs, & thades,
Waited with hellish rancor imminent
To intercept thy way, or fend thee back
Despoil'd of innocence, of faith, of bliss!
For now, and fince first break of dawn, the Fiend,
(Mere ferpent in appearance) forth was come,
And on his quest, where likeliest he might find
The only two of mankind; but in them
The whole included race, his purpos'd prey.
In bow'r, and field he fought, where any tuft
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