Affures me that the bitterness of Death Is paft, and we fhall live. Whence, hail to thee! 160 165 170 To whom thus EvE, with fad demeanor meek: Ill worthy I, fuch title fhould belong To me tranfgreffor, who, for thee ordain'd A help, became thy fnare: to me reproach Rather belongs, diftruft, and all difpraife. But infinite in pardon was my Judge, That I, who firft brought death on all, am grac'd The fource of life: next favourable thou, Who highly thus t'intitle me vouchsaf'ft: Far other name deferving! But the field To labor calls us, now with fweat impos'd, Though after fleepless night: for fee the morn, All unconcern'd with our unreft, begins Her rofy progrefs fmiling: let us forth; I never from thy fide henceforth to ftray, Where-e'er our days work lies; though now enjoin'd Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell, What can be toilfom in thefe pleasant walks? Here let us live, though in fall'n ftate, content! 180 175 So fpake, fo wifh'd much-humbl'd Eve; but Fate Subfcrib'd not: Nature firft gave figns, imprefs'd On bird, beaft, air: air fuddenly eclips'd, After fhort blush of morn: nigh in her fight, The bird of JOVE, ftoop'd from his aery tour, 185 Two birds of gayeft plume before him drove. Down from a hill the beaft that reigns in woods (First hunter then) perfu'd a gentle brace, Goodlieft of all the foreft, hart and hind: Direct to th' caftern gate was bent their flight. ADAM obferv'd, and with his eye the chafe Perfuing, not unmov'd, to Eye thus spake. 190 O EVE! fome further change awaits us nigh, Which Heav'n, by these mute figns in nature, fhews Forerunners of his purpose: or to warn Us, haply too fecure, of our discharge From penalty, because from Death releas'd 195 200 Some days: how long, and what till then our life, 205 210 He err'd not; for by this the heav'nly bands Down from a sky of jafper lighted now In Paradife, and on a hill made halt: A glorious apparition had not doubt And carnal fear that day dimm'd ADAM's eye. Not that more glorious, when the Angels met JACOB, in MAHANAIM, where he faw The field pavilion'd with his guardians bright: 215 Nor that, which on the flaming mount appear'd In DOTHAN, cover'd with a camp of fire, Against the SYRIAN King; who to furprize One man, affaffine like, had levy'd war; War unproclaim'd. The Princely Hierarch In their bright ftand there left his Pow'rs, to feise Poffeffion of the garden: he alone, 220 To find where ADAM fhelter'd, took his way; Eva, now expect great tidings, which perhaps New laws to be obferv'd: for I defcry, From 230 From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hill, 235 He ended, and th' Arch-Angel foon drew nigh, Not in his shape cœleftial, but as man Clad to meet man: over his lucid arms 240 245 250 ADAM! Heav'n's high beheft no preface needs: Giv'n thee of grace, wherein thou may'ft repent, 255 26.0 He |