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BOOK IX.-967-1002]

One heart, one soul in both; whereof good proof This day affords, declaring thee resolved, Rather than death, or aught than death more dread, Shall separate us, linked 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 proceeds, Direct, or by occasion-hath presented This happy trial of thy love, which else So eminently never had been known. Were it I thought death menaced would ensue This my attempt, I would sustain alone The worst, and not persuade thee; rather die Deserted, than oblige thee with a fact Pernicious to thy peace, chiefly assured Remarkably so late of thy so true, So faithful love, unequalled; but I feel Far otherwise the event; not death, but life Augmented, opened eyes, new hopes, new joys, Taste so divine, that what of sweet before Hath touched my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh. On my experience, Adam, freely taste, And fear of death deliver to the winds.

So saying, she embraced him, and for joy Tenderly wept; much won, that he his love Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. In recompense—for such compliance bad Such recompense best merits,-from the bough She gave him of that fair enticing fruit With liberal hand: he scrupled not to eat, Against his better knowledge: not deceived, But fondly overcome with female charm. Earth trembled from her entrails, as again In pangs; and nature gave a second groan; Sky loured, and, muttering thunder, some sad drops

Made common, and unhallowed, ere our taste, Nor yet on him found deadly; he yet lives; Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to live, as Man, Higher degree of life; inducement strong To us, as likely, tasting, to attain Proportional ascent; which cannnot be But to be gods, or angels, demi-gods. Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, Though threatening, will in earnest so destroy Us, his prime creatures, dignified so high, Set over all his works; which, in our fall, For us created, needs with us must fail, Dependent made; so God shall uncreate, Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose: Not well conceived of God, who, though his power Creation could repeat, yet would be loth Us to abolish, lest the Adversary Triumph and say: Fickle their state, whom God Most favours; who can please Him long? Me first He ruined, now mankind; whom will he next? Matter of scorn, not to be given the Foe. However, I with thee have fixed my lot, Certain to undergo like doom: if death Consort with thee death is to me as life: So forcible within my heart I feel The bond of nature draw me to my own; My own in thee, for what thou art is mine; Our state cannot be severed; we are one, One flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself. So Adam; and thus Eve to him replied: Oh, glorious trial of exceeding love, Illustrious evidence, example high! Engaging me to emulate; but, short

Of thy perfection, how shall I attain?

Adam! from whose dear side I boast me sprung,

And gladly of our union hear thee speak,