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.
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.
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
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
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
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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