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ADAM? from whose dear side I boast me sprung?
And gladly of our union hear thee speak,
One heart, one foul in both! whereof good proof
This day affords; declaring thee resolv'd,
Rather than Death, or ought than Death more dread,
Shall separate us (link'd in love so dear!)
To undergo with me one guilt, one crime,
(If any be) of tasting this fair fruit:
Whose virtue (for of good still good procedes,
Direct, or by occafion) hath presented
This happy tryal of thy love; which else
So eminently never had been known,
Were it I thought Death menac'd would ensue
This my attempt, I would sustain alone
The worst, and not perfuade thee; rather die
Deserted, than oblige thee with a fact
Pernicious to thy peace, chiefly affur'd
Remarkably so late of thy so true,
So faithful love unequal'd: but I feel
Far otherwise th' event, not Death, but Life
Augmented; open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys, 985
Taste so divine! that what of sweet before
Hath touch'd my sense, flat seems to this, & harsh,
On my experience, ADAM, freely taste,
And fear of Death deliver to the winds.

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So faying, she embrac'd him, and for joy Tenderly wept; much won, that he his love Had fo innobl'd, as of choice t'incur Divine difpleasure for her fake, or death. In recompenfe (for fuch compliance bad Such recompense best merits) from the bough 995 She gave him of that fair-inticing fruit, With liberal hand: he fcrupl'd not to eat, Against his better knowledge; not deceiv'd, But fondly overcome with female charm. Earth trembl'd from her entrails, as again In pangs; and Nature gave a second groan.

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Sky

Sky lowr'd, and mutt'ring thunder, some sad drops
Wept, at compleating of the
mortal fin
Original! while ADAM took no thought,
Eating his fill; nor Eve to iterate
Her former trefpass fear'd; the more to footh

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Him with her lov'd fociety: that now,
(As with new wine intoxicated both)
They fwim in mirth, and fancy that they feel
Divinity within them breeding wings
Wherewith to scorn the earth. But that false fruit

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Far other operation first display'd,

Carnal defire inflaming: he on Eve

Began to cast lafcivious eyes; the him
As wantonly repaid; in lust they burn:
Till ADAM thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move.

EVE, now I see thou art exact of taste,

And elegant, of sapience no small part;
Since to each meaning favor we apply,
And palate call judicious: I the praise

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Yield thee, so well this day thou hast purvey'd.
Much pleasure we have loft, while we abstain'd
From this delightful fruit, nor known till now
True relish, tasting: if such pleasure be
In things to us forbidd'n, it might be wish'd, 1024
For this one tree had been forbidden ten.
But come, fo well refresh'd, now let us play,
As meet is, after such delicious fare:
For never did thy beauty since the day
I saw thee first, and wedded thee, adorn'd
With all perfections, so inflame my sense
With ardor to enjoy thee; fairer now
Than ever, bounty of this virtuous tree&

So said he, and forbore not glance, or toy
Of amorous intent; well understood
Of EVE, whose eye darted contagious fire.
Her hand he seiz'd and to a shady bank,

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