In woman, than to study houfhold good, Refreshment, whether food, or talk between, Of looks and fmiles, for fmiles from reafon flow, Love not the lowest end of human life. 235 240 For not to irksome toil, but to delight He made us, and delight to reason join'd. These paths and bow'rs doubt not but our joint hands Will keep from wilderness with ease, as wide 245 As we need walk, till younger hands ere long Affift us: but if much converse perhaps Thee fatiate, to fhort abfence I could yield: 250 And short retirement urges fweet return. Befall thee fever'd from me; for thou know'st 255 260 Conjugal Conjugal love, than which perhaps no blifs Or this, or worfe, leave not the faithful fide 265 That gave thee be'ing, ftill fhades thee and protects. The wife, where danger or dishonor lurks, Safeft and feemliest by her husband stays, Who guards her, or with her the worst indures. As one who loves, and fome unkindness meets, 270 Offspring of Heav'n and Earth, and all Earth's Lord, That such an enemy we have, who seeks Our ruin, both by thee inform'd I learn, And from the parting Angel over-heard, As in a shady nook I stood behind, 275 Just then return'd at shut of evening flowers. But that thou shouldft my firmness therefore doubt 280 May tempt it, I expected not to hear. His violence thou fear'ft not, being fuch Can either not receive, or can repel. His fraud is then thy fear, which plain infers 285 Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love Can by his fraud be fhaken or feduc'd; Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy breast, Adam, mis-thought of her to thee fo dear? To whom with healing words Adam reply'd. Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve, 290 Not Not diffident of thee do I diffuade Thy abfence from my fight, but to avoid Th' attempt itself, intended by our foe. 295 For he who tempts, though' in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonor foul, fuppos'd Not incorruptible of faith, not proof Against temptation: thou thyself with scorn From thee alone, which on us both at once 300 305 310 More wife, more watchful, ftronger, if need were Of outward ftrength; while fhame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome or over-reach'd Would utmost vigor raise, and rais'd unite. Why shouldft not thou like sense within thee feel 315 When I am present, and thy trial choose With me, best witness of thy virtue try'd? So fpake domestic Adam in his care And matrimonial love; but Eve, who thought Lefs attributed to her faith fincere, 320 Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'd. If this be our condition, thus to dwell In narrow circuit straiten'd by a foe, Subtle or violent, we not indued 325 Sticks no difhonor on our front, but turns 330 Foul on himself; then wherefore fhunn'd or fear'd By us? who rather double honor gain From his furmife prov'd false, find peace within, Favor from Heav'n, our witness from th' event. And what is faith, love, virtue unaffay'd 335 Alone, without exterior help sustain’d? To whom thus Adam fervently reply'd. 340 O Woman, beft are all things as the will 345 Of all that he created, much less Man, 350 But But bid her well be ware, and still erect, She dictate false, and misinform the will 355 To do what God exprefly hath forbid. Not then mistruft, but tender love injoins, That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. Firm we subfift, yet poffible to swerve, Since reason not impoffibly may meet 360 Some fpecious object by the foe fuborn'd, And fall into deception unaware, Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. Seek not temptation then, which to avoid 365 Were better, and most likely if from me 370 Us both fecurer than thus warn'd thou feem'ft, Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more; On what thou haft of virtue, fummon all, For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine. So fpake the patriarch of mankind; but Eve Perfifted, yet fubmifs, though last, reply'd. With thy permiffion then, and thus forewarn'd Chiefly by what thy own laft reasoning words Touch'd only, that our trial, when least fought, 380 May find us both perhaps far less prepar'd, The willinger I go, nor much expect |