Side 185 af 239

They gathered, broad as Amazonian targe, And, with what skill they had, together sewed, To gird their waist: vain covering, if to hide Their guilt and dreaded shame! Oh, how unlike To that first naked glory! Such, of late, Columbus found the American, so girt With feather'd cincture; naked else, and wild Among the trees on isles and woody shores. Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part Covered, but not at rest or ease of mind, They sat them down to weep. Nor only tears Rained at their eyes, but high winds worse within Began to rise; high passions, anger, hate, Mistrust, suspicion, discord, and shook sore Their inward state of mind, calm region once, And full of peace, now tost and turbulent. For understanding ruled not, and the will Heard not her lore; both in subjection now To sensual appetite, who, from beneath, Usurping over sovereign reason, claimed, Superior sway. From thus distempered breast, Adam, estranged in look and altered style, Speech intermitted thus to Eve renewed:

Would thou hadst hearkened to my words, and stayed With me, as I besought thee, when that strange Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn, I know not whence possessed thee; we had then Remained still happy; not as now, despoiled Of all our good; shamed, naked, miserable! Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve The faith they owe; when earnestly they seek. Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail.

To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve:

What words have passed thy lips, Adam, severe?

Imputest thou that to my default, or will

Of wandering, as thou callest it, which who knows