d we longer shivering under fears,

no end but death, and have the power,

ways to die the shortest choosing, on with destruction to destroy? ded here, or vehement despair

1005

the rest; so much of death her thoughts tain'd, as dy'd her cheeks with pale. , with such counsel nothing sway'd, 1010 hopes his more attentive mind

- had rais'd, and thus to Eve reply'd. y contempt of life and pleasure seems in thee something more sublime lent than what thy mind contemns; 1015 _estruction therefore sought refutes llence thought in thee, and implies, ontempt, but anguish and regret

-f life and pleasure overlov'd.

■ covet death, as utmost end

, so thinking to evade

1020

ty pronounc'd, doubt not but God elier arm'd his vengeful ire than so estall'd: much more I fear lest death 'd will not exempt us from the pain 1025

y

doom to pay rather such acts

macy will provoke the Highest

death in us live: then let us seek

Virg. Æn. iv. 499.

effata silet; pallor simul occupat ora.' Jortin. En. iv. 644. Lucan, vii. 130. Hume.

Some safer resolution, which methinks

1030

I have in view, calling to mind with heed
Part of our sentence, that thy seed shall bruise
The serpent's head: piteous amends, unless
Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand foe
Satan, who in the serpent hath contriv'd
Against us this deceit. To crush his head
Would be revenge indeed; which will be lost
By death brought on our selves, or childless days
Resolv'd, as thou proposest; so our foe
Shall scape his punishment ordain'd, and we
Instead shall double ours upon our heads.

1035

1040

1045

No more be mention'd then of violence
Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,
That cuts us off from hope, and savours only
Rancour and pride, impatience and despite,
Reluctance against God and his just yoke
Laid on our necks. Remember with what mild
And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd
Without wrath or reviling; we expected
Immediate dissolution, which we thought
Was meant by death that day, when, lo! to thee
Pains only in child-bearing were foretold,
And bringing forth, soon recompens'd with joy,
Fruit of thy womb: on me the curse aslope
Glanc'd on the ground, with labour I must earn
My bread; what harm? idleness had been worse;
My labour will sustain me; and lest cold
Or heat should injure us, his timely care
Hath unbesought provided, and his hands

1056

unworthy, pitying while he judg'd. nmore, if we pray him, will his ear 1060 and his heart to pity incline,

us further by what means to shun and snow, nent seasons, rain, ice, hail, w the sky with various face begins as in this mountain, while the winds 1065 t and keen, shattering the graceful locks air spreading trees, which bids us seek er shroud, some better warmth to cherish = benumb'd, ere this diurnal star d the night, how we his gather'd beams may with matter sere foment, lision of two bodies grind

trite to fire, as late the clouds

1071

or push'd with winds rude in their shock

-lant lightning, whose thwart flame driv’n The gummy bark of fir or pine,

[down

s a comfortable heat from far,
ight supply the sun. Such fire to use,
t may else be remedy or cure

which our own misdeeds have wrought;
nstruct us praying, and of grace

1081

1085

Beseeching him, so as we need not fear
To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd
By him with many comforts, till we end
In dust, our final rest and native home.
What better can we do, than, to the place
Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall
Before him reverent, and there confess
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek?
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn
From his displeasure, in whose look serene,
When angry most he seem'd and most severe, 1095
What else but favour, grace, and mercy shone?
So spake our father penitent, nor Eve
Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell
Before him reverent, and both confess'd
Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears
Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek.

1100

1091 Frequenting] Tempesting. Bentl. MS. so in line

1103.

of God presents to his Father the prayers of our nts now repenting, and intercedes for them: God em, but declares that they must no longer abide in sends Michael with a band of cherubim to disnem; but first to reveal to Adam future things: coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain omi

he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to the angel denounces their departure. Eve's on. Adam pleads, but submits: the angel leads o a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall ll the flood.

ney

in lowliest plight repentant stood , for from the mercy-seat above ent grace descending had remov'd my from their hearts, and made new flesh rate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd -able, which the spirit of prayer

, and wing'd for heav'n with speedier flight udest oratory: yet their port

mean suitors, nor important less

their petition, than when th' ancient pair 10 es old, less ancient yet than these,

In fables old] Fables told this. Bentl. MS.