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More lovely than PANDORA, whom the Gods
Endow'd with all their gifts, (and O, too like 715
In sad event!) when to th' unwiser son
Of JAPHET brought by HERMES, she insnar'd
Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd
On him who had stole JOVE's authentic fire.

725

Thus at their shady Lodge arriv'd, both stood, 720
Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd
The God that made both sky, air, earth and heav'n,
Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe,
And starry pole: Thou also mad'ft the night,
Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day
Which we in our appointed work employ'd
Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help,
And mutual love, the crown of all our blifs
Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place
For us too large, where thy abundance wants
Partakers, and uncrop'd falls to the ground.
But thou haft promis'd from us two a race
To fill the earth, who shall with us extol
Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,

730

And when we feek, as now, thy gift of fleep. 735

This faid unanimous, and other rites
Observing none, but adoration pure,
Which GoD likes best, into their inmost bow'r
Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off
These troublesome disguises which we wear,
Straight fide by fide were laid: nor turn'd I ween
ADAM from his fair spouse, nor EVE the rites

Mysterious of connubial love refus'd:
Whatever hypocrites austerely talk
Of purity and place and innocence,
Defaming as impure what GOD declares
Pure, and commands to fome, leaves free to all.
Our maker bids increase, who bids abstain

But our destroyer, foe to God and man?

740

745

i 755

Hail wedded love! mysterious law, true source 750
Of human offspring, fole propriety
In Paradife, of all things common else.
By thee adult'rous lust was driv'n from men,
Among the bestial herds to range; by thee,
(Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure)
Relations dear, and all the charities
Of father, fon, and brother first were known.
Far be it, that I should write thee fin or blame;
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
Perpetual, fountain of domeftic sweets!
Whose bed is undefil'd and chafte pronounc'd,
Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us'd.
Here Love his golden thafts employs, here lights
His conftant lamp, and waves his purple wings;
Reigns here and revels: not in the bought smile 765
Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd,
Casual fruition, nor in Court-amours

760

770

Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,
Or ferenade, which the starv'd lover fings
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.
These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept,
And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof
Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on
Bleft pair; and O! yet happieft, if ye seek
No happier state, and know to know no more. 775

Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone
Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault,
And from their ivory port the Cherubim
Forth ifsuing at th' accustom'd hour, stood arm'd
To their night watches in warlike parade,
When GABRIEL to his next in pow'r thus spake.

780

UZZIEL, half these draw off, and coaft the fouth With strictest watch: these other wheel the north, Our circuit meets full west. As flame they part Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 785.

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