Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 9

THE ARGUMENT	plot summary
Satan having compast° the Earth, with meditated guile returns as a mist by Night into Paradise, enters into the Serpent sleeping. Adam and Eve in the Morning go forth to thir labours, which Eve proposes to divide in several places, each labouring apart: Adam consents not, alledging the danger, lest that Enemy, of whom they were forewarn’d, should attempt her found alone: Eve loath to be thought not circumspect or firm enough, urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make tryal of her strength; Adam at last yields: The Serpent finds her alone; his subtle approach, first gazing, then speaking, with much flattery extolling Eve above all other Creatures. Eve wondring to hear the Serpent speak, asks how he attain’d to human speech and such understanding not till now; the Serpent answers, that by tasting of a certain Tree in the Garden he attain’d both to Speech and Reason, till then void of both: Eve requires him to bring her to that Tree, and finds it to be the Tree of Knowledge forbidden: The Serpent now grown bolder, with many wiles° and arguments induces° her at length to eat; she pleas’dwith the taste deliberates a while whether to impart thereof to Adam or not, at last brings him of the Fruit, relates what perswaded her to eat thereof: Adam at first amaz’d, but perceiving her lost, resolves through vehemence of love to perish with her; and extenuating° the trespass, eats also of the Fruit: The Effects thereof in them both; they seek to cover thir nakedness; then fall to variance and accusation of one another.	compast = gone around wiles = tricks induces = persuades extenuating = overlooking

No more of talk where God or Angel Guest
With Man, as with his Friend, familiar us’d
To sit indulgent, and with him partake
Rural repast,° permitting him the while	meal
Venial° discourse unblam’d: I now must change [9.5]	forgivable
Those Notes to Tragic; foul distrust, and breach
Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt,
And disobedience: On the part of Heav’n
Now alienated, distance and distaste,
Anger and just rebuke, and judgement giv’n, [9.10]
That brought into this World a world of woe,
Sinne and her shadow Death, and Miserie
Deaths Harbinger:° Sad task, yet argument°	forerunner, announcer — subject
Not less but more Heroic then the wrauth
Of stern Achilles on his Foe pursu’d [9.15]
Thrice Fugitive about Troy Wall; or rage
Of Turnus for Lavinia disespous’d,°	broken up
Or Neptun’s ire or Juno’s, that so long
Perplex’d the Greek and Cytherea’s Son;	troubled
If answerable° style I can obtaine [9.20]	appropriate
Of my Celestial Patroness,° who deignes°	the Muse — is willing to
Her nightly visitation unimplor’d,
And dictates to me slumb’ring, or inspires
Easie my unpremeditated Verse:
Since first this Subject for Heroic Song° [9.25]	poem
Pleas’d me long choosing, and beginning late;
Not sedulous° by Nature to indite°	diligent — write
Warrs, hitherto° the onely Argument°	until now — subject
Heroic deem’d, chief maistrie to dissect
With long and tedious havoc fabl’d Knights [9.30]
In Battels feign’d;° the better fortitude°	imaginary — heroic strength
Of Patience and Heroic Martyrdom
Unsung; or to describe Races and Games,
Or tilting Furniture,° emblazon’d° Shields,	jousting equipment — decorated
Impreses° quaint, Caparisons° and Steeds; [9.35]	emblems — skillfully designed — decorative cover for horses
Bases and tinsel Trappings, gorgious Knights
At Joust and Torneament; then marshal’d° Feast	arranged
Serv’d up in Hall with Sewers,° and Seneshals;°	attendants — stewards
The skill of Artifice or Office° mean,°	duty — low
Not that which justly gives Heroic name [9.40]
To Person or to Poem. Mee of these
Nor skilld nor studious, higher Argument°	subject
Remaines, sufficient of it self to raise
That name, unless an age too late, or cold
Climat, or Years damp my intended wing [9.45]
Deprest, and much they may, if all be mine,
Not Hers° who brings it nightly to my Ear.	the Muse’s

The Sun was sunk, and after him the Starr
Of Hesperus, whose Office is to bring	Venus (the “evening star’)
Twilight upon the Earth, short Arbiter° [9.50]	judge
Twixt° Day and Night, and now from end to end	between
Nights Hemisphere had veild the Horizon round:
When Satan who late° fled before the threats	recently
Of Gabriel out of Eden, now improv’d
In meditated fraud and malice, bent [9.55]
On mans destruction, maugre° what might hap	despite
Of heavier on himself, fearless return’d.
By Night he fled, and at Midnight return’d.
From compassing° the Earth, cautious of day,	going around
Since Uriel Regent° of the Sun descri’d° [9.60]	ruler — caught sight of
His entrance, and forewarnd the Cherubim°	angels
That kept thir watch; thence° full of anguish driv’n,	from there
The space of seven continu’d Nights he rode
With darkness, thrice the Equinoctial Line°	equator
He circl’d, four times cross’d the Carr of Night [9.65]
From Pole to Pole, traversing each Colure;°	imagined circle around the earth
On the eighth return’d, and on the Coast averse°	opposite
From entrance or Cherubic° Watch, by stealth	angelic
Found unsuspected way. There was a place,
Now not, though Sin, not Time, first wraught° the change, [9.70]	worked
Where Tigris at the foot of Paradise
Into a Gulf shot under ground, till part
Rose up a Fountain by the Tree of Life;
In with the River sunk, and with it rose
Satan involv’d° in rising Mist, then sought [9.75]	wrapped
Where to lie hid; Sea he had searcht and Land
From Eden over Pontus, and the Poole
Mæotis,° up beyond the River Ob;	a swamp
Downward as farr Antartic; and in length
West from Orontes to the Ocean barr’d [9.80]
At Darien, thence° to the Land where flowes	from there
Ganges and Indus: thus the Orb° he roam’d	globe
With narrow search; and with inspection deep
Consider’d every Creature, which of all
Most opportune might serve his Wiles,° and found [9.85]	schemes
The Serpent suttlest° Beast of all the Field.	most cunning
Him after long debate, irresolute
Of thoughts revolv’d, his final sentence° chose	decision
Fit° Vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in whom	suitable
To enter, and his dark suggestions° hide [9.90]	temptations
From sharpest sight: for in the wilie° Snake,	deceptive
Whatever sleights none would suspicious mark,
As from his wit° and native° suttletie°	intelligence — natural-born
Proceeding, which in other Beasts observ’d
Doubt might beget of Diabolic° pow’r [9.95]	devilish
Active within beyond the sense of brute.°	animal
Thus he resolv’d, but first from inward griefe
His bursting passion into plaints° thus pour’d:	complaints

O Earth, how like° to Heav’n, if not preferr’d	similar
More justly, Seat° worthier of Gods, as built [9.100]	home
With second thoughts, reforming what was old!
For what God after better worse would build?
Terrestrial° Heav’n, danc’t round by other Heav’ns	earthly
That shine, yet bear thir bright officious° Lamps,	helpful
Light above Light, for thee alone, as seems, [9.105]
In thee concentring all thir precious beams
Of sacred influence: As God in Heav’n
Is Center, yet extends to all, so thou
Centring receav’st from all those Orbs; in thee,
Not in themselves, all thir known vertue° appeers [9.110]	power
Productive in Herb, Plant, and nobler birth
Of Creatures animate° with gradual life	living
Of Growth, Sense, Reason, all summ’d up in Man.
With what delight could I have walkt thee round,
If I could joy in aught,° sweet interchange [9.115]	anything
Of Hill, and Vallie, Rivers, Woods and Plaines,
Now Land, now Sea, and Shores with Forrest crownd,
Rocks, Dens, and Caves; but I in none of these
Find place or refuge; and the more I see
Pleasures about me, so much more I feel [9.120]
Torment within me, as from the hateful siege
Of contraries; all good to me becomes
Bane,° and in Heav’n much worse would be my state.	cause of destruction
But neither here seek I, no nor in Heav’n
To dwell, unless by maistring Heav’ns Supreame; [9.125]
Nor hope to be my self less miserable
By what I seek, but others to make such
As I, though thereby worse to me redound:°	disgraces
For onely in destroying I find ease
To my relentless thoughts; and him destroyd, [9.130]
Or won to what may work his utter loss,
For whom all this was made, all this will soon
Follow, as to him linkt in weal° or woe,	good
In wo then: that destruction wide may range:
To mee shall be the glorie sole among [9.135]
The infernal Powers, in one day to have marr’d°	ruined
What he Almightie styl’d,° six Nights and Days	called
Continu’d making, and who knows how long
Before had bin contriving, though perhaps
Not longer then since I in one Night freed [9.140]
From servitude inglorious welnigh° half	almost
Th’ Angelic Name, and thinner left the throng
Of his adorers: hee to be aveng’d,
And to repaire his numbers thus impair’d,
Whether such vertue° spent of old now faild [9.145]	power
More Angels to Create, if they at least
Are his Created, or to spite us more,
Determin’d to advance into our room
A Creature form’d of Earth, and him endow,
Exalted from so base original, [9.150]
With Heav’nly spoils,° our spoils: What he decreed°	treasure taken in war — delared
He effected;° Man he made, and for him built	brought about
Magnificent this World, and Earth his seat,°	residence
Him Lord pronounc’d, and, O indignitie!
Subjected to his service Angel wings, [9.155]
And flaming Ministers to watch and tend
Thir earthy Charge: Of these the vigilance
I dread, and to elude,° thus wrapt in mist	avoid
Of midnight vapor glide obscure, and prie	dark
In every Bush and Brake,° where hap° may finde [9.160]	thicket — by chance
The Serpent sleeping, in whose mazie foulds
To hide me, and the dark intent I bring.
O foul descent! that I who erst° contended	first
With Gods to sit the highest, am now constraind
Into a Beast, and mixt with bestial slime, [9.165]
This essence to incarnate° and imbrute,°	make fleshly — be degraded
That to the hight of Deitie aspir’d;
But what will not Ambition and Revenge
Descend to? who aspires must down as low
As high he soard, obnoxious first or last [9.170]
To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet,
Bitter ere° long back on it self recoiles;	before
Let it; I reck° not, so it light well aim’d,	care
Since higher I fall short, on him who next
Provokes my envie, this new Favorite [9.175]
Of Heav’n, this Man of Clay, Son of despite,
Whom us the more to spite his Maker rais’d
From dust: spite then with spite is best repaid.

So saying, through each Thicket Danck° or Drie,	damp
Like a black mist low creeping, he held on [9.180]
His midnight search, where soonest he might finde
The Serpent: him fast sleeping soon he found
In Labyrinth of many a round self-rowld,
His head the midst, well stor’d with suttle wiles:°	cunning deceits
Not yet in horrid Shade or dismal Den, [9.185]
Nor nocent° yet, but on the grassie Herbe°	guilty — plants
Fearless unfeard he slept: in at his Mouth
The Devil enterd, and his brutal sense,
In heart or head, possessing soon inspir’d
With act intelligential;° but his sleep [9.190]	related to intelligence
Disturbd not, waiting close th’ approach of Morn.
Now when as sacred Light began to dawne
In Eden on the humid Flours, that breathd
Thir morning incense, when all things that breath,
From th’ Earths great Altar send up silent praise [9.195]
To the Creator, and his Nostrils fill
With grateful° Smell, forth came the human pair	pleasing
And joind thir vocal Worship to the Quire°	choir
Of Creatures wanting° voice, that done, partake	lacking
The season, prime for sweetest Sents° and Aires: [9.200]	scents
Then commune° how that day they best may ply	discuss
Thir growing work: for much thir work outgrew
The hands dispatch of two Gardning so wide.
And Eve first to her Husband thus began.

Adam, well may we labour still to dress° [9.205]	tend to
This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour,
Our pleasant task enjoyn’d,° but till more hands	required
Aid us, the work under our labour grows,
Luxurious by restraint; what we by day
Lop° overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, [9.210]	cut
One night or two with wanton° growth derides°	unrestrained — laughs at
Tending to wilde. Thou therefore now advise
Or hear what to my minde first thoughts present,
Let us divide our labours, thou where choice
Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind [9.215]
The Woodbine round this Arbour, or direct
The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I
In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt
With Myrtle, find what to redress° till Noon:	put in order
For while so near each other thus all day [9.220]
Our taske we choose, what wonder if so near
Looks intervene and smiles, or object new
Casual discourse draw on, which intermits°	interrupts
Our dayes work brought to little, though begun
Early, and th’ hour of Supper comes unearn’d. [9.225]

To whom mild answer Adam thus return’d.
Sole Eve, Associate sole, to me beyond
Compare above all living Creatures deare,
Well hast thou motion’d, well thy thoughts imployd
How we might best fulfill the work which here [9.230]
God hath assign’d us, nor of me shalt pass
Unprais’d: for nothing lovelier can be found
In Woman, then to studie houshold good,
And good workes in her Husband to promote.
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord impos’d [9.235]
Labour, as to debarr° us when we need	prevent
Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,
Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse°	interaction (no sexual connotation)
Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow,
To brute° deni’d, and are of Love the food, [9.240]	animal
Love not the lowest end of human life.
For not to irksom toile, but to delight
He made us, and delight to Reason joyn’d.
These paths & Bowers doubt not but our joynt hands
Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide [9.245]
As we need walk, till younger hands ere° long	before
Assist us: But if much converse perhaps
Thee satiate,° to short absence I could yield.	be too much for
For solitude somtimes is best societie,
And short retirement urges sweet returne. [9.250]
But other doubt possesses me, least° harm	in case
Befall° thee sever’d from me; for thou knowst	happen to
What hath bin warn’d us, what malicious Foe
Envying our happiness, and of his own
Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame [9.255]
By sly assault; and somwhere nigh° at hand	near
Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find
His wish and best advantage, us asunder,°	separate
Hopeless to circumvent° us joynd, where each	trick
To other speedie aide might lend at need; [9.260]
Whether his first design° be to withdraw	plan
Our fealtie° from God, or to disturb	loyalty
Conjugal° Love, then which perhaps no bliss	sexual, marital
Enjoy’d by us excites his envie more;
Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side [9.265]
That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.
The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,
Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies,
Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.

To whom the Virgin Majestie of Eve, [9.270]
As one who loves, and some unkindness meets,
With sweet austeer composure thus reply’d,

Ofspring of Heav’n and Earth, and all Earths Lord,
That such an Enemie we have, who seeks
Our ruin, both by thee informd I learne, [9.275]
And from the parting Angel over-heard
As in a shadie nook I stood behind,
Just then returnd at shut of Evening Flours.
But that thou shouldst my firmness therfore doubt
To God or thee, because we have a foe [9.280]
May tempt it, I expected not to hear.
His violence thou fear’st not, being such,
As wee, not capable of death or paine,
Can either not receave, or can repell.
His fraud is then thy fear, which plain inferrs° [9.285]	suggests
Thy equal fear that my firm Faith and Love
Can by his fraud be shak’n or seduc’t;
Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy brest
Adam, misthought of her to thee so dear?

To whom with healing words Adam replyd. [9.290]
Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve,
For such thou art, from sin and blame entire:
Not diffident° of thee do I dissuade	skeptical
Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid
Th’ attempt itself, intended by our Foe. [9.295]
For hee who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses°	slanders
The tempted with dishonour foul, suppos’d
Not incorruptible of Faith, not prooff
Against temptation: thou thy self with scorne
And anger wouldst resent the offer’d wrong, [9.300]
Though ineffectual found: misdeem° not then,	mistake
If such affront I labour to avert°	keep away
From thee alone, which on us both at once
The Enemie, though bold, will hardly dare,
Or daring, first on mee th’ assault shall light. [9.305]
Nor thou his malice and false guile° contemn;	deception
Suttle he needs must be, who could seduce	cunning
Angels nor think superfluous° others aid.	too much
I from the influence of thy looks receave
Access in every Vertue, in thy sight [9.310]
More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were
Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on,
Shame to be overcome or over-reacht
Would utmost vigor raise, and rais’d unite.
Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel [9.315]
When I am present, and thy trial choose
With me, best witness of thy Vertue tri’d.

So spake domestick Adam in his care
And Matrimonial Love; but Eve, who thought
Less attributed to her Faith sincere, [9.320]
Thus her reply with accent sweet renewd.

If this be our condition,° thus to dwell	situation
In narrow circuit strait’nd° by a Foe,	made narrower
Suttle° or violent, we not endu’d°	cunning — created
Single with like defence, wherever met, [9.325]
How are we happie, still in fear of harm?
But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe
Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem
Of our integritie: his foul esteeme
Sticks no dishonor on our Front,° but turns [9.330]	forehead
Foul on himself; then wherefore shund or feard
By us? who rather double honour gaine
From his surmise prov’d false, find peace within,
Favour from Heav’n, our witness from th’ event.°	outcome
And what is Faith, Love, Vertue unassaid° [9.335]	untested
Alone, without exterior help sustaind?
Let us not then suspect our happie State
Left so imperfet° by the Maker wise,	incomplete
As not secure to single or combin’d.
Fraile is our happiness, if this be so, [9.340]
And Eden were no Eden thus expos’d.

To whom thus Adam fervently repli’d.
O Woman, best are all things as the will
Of God ordain’d them, his creating hand
Nothing imperfet° or deficient left [9.345]	incomplete
Of all that he Created, much less Man,
Or aught° that might his happie State° secure,	anything — status
Secure from outward force; within himself
The danger lies, yet lies within his power:
Against his will he can receave no harme. [9.350]
But God left free the Will, for what obeyes
Reason, is free, and Reason he made right
But bid her well beware, and still erect,
Least° by some faire appeering good surpris’d	in case
She dictate false, and misinforme the Will [9.355]
To do what God expresly hath forbid,
Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes,°	requires
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.
Firm we subsist,° yet possible to swerve,	take a stand
Since Reason not impossibly may meet [9.360]
Some specious° object by the Foe subornd,°	pleasing — prepared secretly
And fall into deception unaware,
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warnd.
Seek not temptation then, which to avoide
Were better, and most likelie if from mee [9.365]
Thou sever° not: Trial° will come unsought.°	separate — a test — without being looked for
Wouldst thou approve° thy constancie, approve	demonstrate
First thy obedience; th’ other who can know,
Not seeing thee attempted, who attest?
But if thou think, trial unsought may finde [9.370]
Us both securer then thus warnd thou seemst,
Go; for thy stay, not free, absents° thee more;	makes absent
Go in thy native innocence, relie
On what thou hast of vertue, summon all,
For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine. [9.375]

So spake the Patriarch of Mankinde, but Eve
Persisted, yet submiss, though last, repli’d.

With thy permission then, and thus forewarnd
Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words
Touchd onely, that our trial, when least sought, [9.380]
May finde us both perhaps farr less prepar’d,
The willinger I goe, nor much expect
A Foe so proud will first the weaker seek,
So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse.
Thus saying, from her Husbands hand her hand [9.385]
Soft she withdrew, and like a Wood-Nymph light
Oread° or Dryad,° or of Delia’s Traine,	mountain nymph — wood nymph
Betook° her to the Groves, but Delia’s self	went
In gate surpass’d and Goddess-like deport,°	appearance
Though not as shee with Bow and Quiver armd, [9.390]
But with such Gardning Tools as Art yet rude,	technique
Guiltless of fire had formd, or Angels brought.
To Pales, or Pomona, thus adornd,
Likeliest she seemd, Pomona when she fled
Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her Prime, [9.395]
Yet Virgin of Proserpina from Jove.
Her long with ardent look his Eye pursu’d
Delighted, but desiring more her stay.
Oft he to her his charge of quick returne
Repeated, shee to him as oft engag’d [9.400]
To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre,
And all things in best order to invite
Noontide repast,° or Afternoons repose.	meal
O much deceav’d, much failing, hapless° Eve,	unfortunate
Of thy presum’d return! event° perverse! [9.405]	outcome
Thou never from that houre in Paradise
Foundst either sweet repast, or sound repose;
Such ambush hid among sweet Flours and Shades
Waited with hellish rancour° imminent	animosity
To intercept thy way, or send thee back [9.410]
Despoild° of Innocence, of Faith, of Bliss.	stripped
For now, and since first break of dawne the Fiend,
Meer Serpent in appearance, forth was come,
And on his Quest, where likeliest he might finde
The onely two of Mankinde, but in them [9.415]
The whole included Race, his purposd prey.
In Bowre° and Field he sought, where any tuft	shaded area
Of Grove or Garden-Plot more pleasant lay,
Thir tendance° or Plantation for delight,	tending
By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet° [9.420]	stream
He sought them both, but wish’d his hap° might find	luck
Eve separate, he wish’d, but not with hope
Of what so seldom chanc’d, when to his wish,
Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies,
Veild in a Cloud of Fragrance, where she stood, [9.425]
Half spi’d, so thick the Roses bushing round
About her glowd, oft stooping to support
Each Flour of slender stalk, whose head though gay
Carnation, Purple, Azure, or spect with Gold,
Hung drooping unsustaind, them she upstaies [9.430]
Gently with Mirtle band, mindless the while,
Her self, though fairest unsupported Flour,
From her best prop so farr, and storm so nigh.	near
Neerer he drew, and many a walk travers’d
Of stateliest Covert, Cedar, Pine, or Palme, [9.435]
Then voluble° and bold, now hid, now seen	fast-moving
Among thick-wov’n Arborets° and Flours	shrubs
Imborderd on each Bank, the hand of Eve:
Spot more delicious then those Gardens feign’d°	invented
Or of reviv’d Adonis, or renownd [9.440]
Alcinous, host of old Laertes Son,°	Odysseus
Or that, not Mystic, where the Sapient° King	wise
Held dalliance° with his fair Egyptian Spouse.	enjoyed
Much hee the Place admir’d, the Person more.
As one who long in populous City pent,° [9.445]	locked up
Where Houses thick and Sewers annoy° the Aire,	damage
Forth issuing on a Summers Morn to breathe
Among the pleasant Villages and Farmes
Adjoynd,° from each thing met conceaves delight,	nearby
The smell of Grain, or tedded Grass, or Kine,° [9.450]	cows
Or Dairie, each rural sight, each rural sound;
If chance° with Nymphlike step fair Virgin pass,	it happens
What pleasing seemd, for her now pleases more,
She most, and in her look summs all Delight.
Such Pleasure took the Serpent to behold [9.455]
This Flourie Plat, the sweet recess of Eve
Thus earlie, thus alone; her Heav’nly forme
Angelic, but more soft, and Feminine,
Her graceful Innocence, her every Aire°	appearance
Of gesture or lest action overawd [9.460]
His Malice, and with rapine° sweet bereav’d	kidnapping or rape
His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought:
That space the Evil one abstracted° stood	separated
From his own evil, and for the time remaind
Stupidly° good, of enmitie disarm’d, [9.465]	silently
Of guile, of hate, of envie, of revenge;
But the hot Hell that alwayes in him burnes,
Though in mid Heav’n, soon ended his delight,
And tortures him now more, the more he sees
Of pleasure not for him ordain’d:° then soon [9.470]	destined
Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts
Of mischief, gratulating,° thus excites.	greeting

Thoughts, whither° have ye led me, with what sweet	to where
Compulsion thus transported to forget
What hither° brought us, hate, not love, nor hope [9.475]	to here
Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste
Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy,
Save° what is in destroying, other joy	except
To me is lost. Then let me not let pass
Occasion which now smiles, behold alone [9.480]
The Woman, opportune to all attempts,
Her Husband, for I view far round, not nigh,°	nearby
Whose higher intellectual° more I shun,	intellect
And strength, of courage hautie,° and of limb	lofty
Heroic built, though of terrestrial° mould,° [9.485]	earthly (mortal) — form
Foe not informidable, exempt from wound,
I not; so much hath Hell debas’d, and paine
Infeebl’d me, to what I was in Heav’n.
Shee fair, divinely fair, fit Love for Gods,
Not terrible, though terrour be in Love [9.490]
And beautie, not approacht by stronger hate,
Hate stronger, under shew° of Love well feign’d,°	appearance — faked
The way which to her ruin now I tend.

So spake the Enemie of Mankind, enclos’d
In Serpent, Inmate bad, and toward Eve [9.495]
Address’d his way, not with indented° wave,	jagged
Prone° on the ground, as since, but on his reare,	lying flat
Circular base of rising foulds, that tour’d
Fould above fould a surging Maze, his Head
Crested aloft, and Carbuncle° his Eyes; [9.500]	red gem
With burnisht° Neck of verdant° Gold, erect	polished — green
Amidst his circling Spires, that on the grass
Floted redundant:° pleasing was his shape,	like waves
And lovely, never since of Serpent kind
Lovelier, not those that in Illyria chang’d [9.505]
Hermione and Cadmus, or the God
In Epidaurus; nor to which transformd
Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline was seen,
Hee with Olympias, this with her who bore
Scipio the highth of Rome. With tract oblique [9.510]	height
At first, as one who sought access, but feard
To interrupt, side-long he works his way.
As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought
Nigh° Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind	near
Veres oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her Saile; [9.515]
So varied hee, and of his tortuous° Traine	twisting
Curld many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve,
To lure her Eye; shee busied heard the sound
Of rusling Leaves, but minded not, as us’d
To such disport° before her through the Field, [9.520]	entertainment
From every Beast, more duteous at her call,
Then at Circean call the Herd disguis’d.
Hee boulder now, uncall’d before her stood;
But as in gaze admiring: Oft he bowd
His turret Crest, and sleek enamel’d Neck, [9.525]
Fawning, and lick’d the ground whereon she trod.
His gentle dumb expression turnd at length
The Eye of Eve to mark his play; he glad
Of her attention gaind, with Serpent Tongue
Organic, or impulse of vocal Air, [9.530]
His fraudulent temptation thus began.

Wonder not, sovran Mistress, if perhaps	sovereign
Thou canst, who art sole Wonder, much less arm
Thy looks, the Heav’n of mildness, with disdain,
Displeas’d that I approach thee thus, and gaze [9.535]
Insatiate, I thus single, nor have feard
Thy awful° brow, more awful thus retir’d.	awe-inspiring
Fairest resemblance of thy Maker faire,
Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine
By gift, and thy Celestial Beautie adore [9.540]
With ravishment beheld, there best beheld
Where universally admir’d; but here
In this enclosure wild, these Beasts among,
Beholders rude, and shallow to discerne
Half what in thee is fair, one man except, [9.545]
Who sees thee? (and what is one?) who shouldst be seen
A Goddess among Gods, ador’d and serv’d
By Angels numberless, thy daily Train.

So gloz’d° the Tempter, and his Proem tun’d;	flattered and deceived
Into the Heart of Eve his words made way, [9.550]
Though at the voice much marveling; at length
Not unamaz’d she thus in answer spake.
What may this mean? Language of Man pronounc’t
By Tongue of Brute,° and human sense exprest?	animal
The first at lest of these I thought deni’d [9.555]
To Beasts, whom God on thir Creation-Day
Created mute to all articulat sound;
The latter I demurre,° for in thir looks	hesitate over
Much reason, and in thir actions oft appeers.
Thee, Serpent, suttlest° beast of all the field [9.560]	most cunning
I knew, but not with human voice endu’d;°	provided
Redouble then this miracle, and say,
How cam’st thou speakable of mute, and how
To me so friendly grown above the rest
Of brutal° kind, that daily are in sight? [9.565]	animal
Say, for such wonder claims attention due.

To whom the guileful° Tempter thus reply’d.	deceptive
Empress of this fair World, resplendent° Eve,	shining
Easie to mee it is to tell thee all
What thou commandst and right thou shouldst be obeyd: [9.570]
I was at first as other Beasts that graze
The trodden Herb,° of abject° thoughts and low,	grass — cast down
As was my food, nor aught° but food discern’d	anything
Or Sex, and apprehended nothing high:
Till on a day roaving the field, I chanc’d [9.575]
A goodly Tree farr distant to behold
Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixt,
Ruddie° and Gold: I nearer drew to gaze;	red
When from the boughes a savorie odour blow’n,
Grateful to appetite, more pleas’d my sense, [9.580]
Then smell of sweetest Fenel or the Teats
Of Ewe or Goat dropping with Milk at Eevn,
Unsuckt of Lamb or Kid, that tend thir play.
To satisfie the sharp desire I had
Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolv’d [9.585]
Not to deferr; hunger and thirst at once,
Powerful perswaders, quick’nd at the scent
Of that alluring fruit, urg’d me so keene.
About the mossie Trunk I wound me soon,
For high from ground the branches would require [9.590]
Thy utmost reach or Adams: Round the Tree
All other Beasts that saw, with like desire
Longing and envying stood, but could not reach.
Amid the Tree now got, where plenty hung
Tempting so nigh,° to pluck and eat my fill [9.595]	near
I spar’d not, for such pleasure till that hour
At Feed or Fountain never had I found.
Sated° at length, ere° long I might perceave	satisfied — before
Strange alteration in me, to degree
Of Reason in my inward Powers, and Speech [9.600]
Wanted° not long, though to this shape retain’d.	lacked
Thenceforth to Speculations high or deep	from then
I turnd my thoughts, and with capacious mind
Considerd all things visible in Heav’n,
Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good; [9.605]
But all that fair and good in thy Divine
Semblance, and in thy Beauties heav’nly Ray
United I beheld; no Fair to thine
Equivalent or second, which compel’d
Mee thus, though importune perhaps, to come [9.610]
And gaze, and worship thee of right declar’d
Sovran° of Creatures, universal Dame.°	sovereign — female ruler

So talk’d the spirited sly Snake; and Eve
Yet more amaz’d unwarie thus reply’d.

Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt [9.615]
The vertue° of that Fruit, in thee first prov’d:	effect
But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far?	here
For many are the Trees of God that grow
In Paradise, and various, yet unknown
To us, in such abundance lies our choice, [9.620]
As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht,
Still hanging incorruptible,° till men	unspoiling
Grow up to thir provision, and more hands
Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth.

To whom the wilie° Adder, blithe° and glad. [9.625]	deceptive — cheerful
Empress, the way is readie, and not long,
Beyond a row of Myrtles, on a Flat,
Fast by° a Fountain, one small Thicket past	close to
Of blowing° Myrrh and Balme; if thou accept	blossoming
My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon. [9.630]	to there

Lead then, said Eve. Hee leading swiftly rowld
In tangles, and made intricate seem strait,
To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy
Bright’ns his Crest, as when a wandring Fire
Compact of unctuous° vapor, which the Night [9.635]	oily
Condenses, and the cold invirons° round,	wraps
Kindl’d through agitation to a Flame,
Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends
Hovering and blazing with delusive° Light,	deceptive
Misleads th’ amaz’d Night-wanderer from his way [9.640]
To Boggs and Mires, and oft through Pond or Poole,
There swallow’d up and lost, from succour° farr.	relief
So glister’d° the dire Snake, and into fraud	shone
Led Eve our credulous Mother, to the Tree
Of prohibition, root of all our woe; [9.645]
Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake.

Serpent, we might have spar’d° our coming hither,°	saved the trouble — to here
Fruitless to mee, though Fruit be here to excess,
The credit of whose vertue rest with thee,
Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects. [9.650]
But of this Tree we may not taste nor touch;
God so commanded, and left that Command
Sole Daughter of his voice; the rest, we live
Law to our selves, our Reason is our Law.

To whom the Tempter guilefully° repli’d. [9.655]	deceptively
Indeed? hath God then said that of the Fruit
Of all these Garden Trees ye shall not eate,
Yet Lords declar’d of all in Earth or Aire?

To whom thus Eve yet° sinless. Of the Fruit	still
Of each Tree in the Garden we may eate, [9.660]
But of the Fruit of this fair Tree amidst
The Garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eate
Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, least ye die.

She scarse had said, though brief, when now more bold
The Tempter, but with shew° of Zeale and Love [9.665]	appearance
To Man, and indignation at his wrong,
New part puts on, and as to passion mov’d,
Fluctuats disturbd, yet comely and in act
Rais’d, as of som great matter to begin.
As when of old som Orator renound [9.670]
In Athens or free Rome, where Eloquence
Flourishd, since mute, to som great cause addrest,
Stood in himself collected, while each part,
Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue,	before
Somtimes in highth° began, as no delay [9.675]	height
Of Preface brooking through his Zeal of Right.
So standing, moving, or to highth upgrown	height
The Tempter all impassiond thus began.

O Sacred, Wise, and Wisdom-giving Plant,
Mother of Science, Now I feel thy Power [9.680]	knowledge
Within me cleere, not onely to discerne
Things in thir Causes, but to trace the wayes
Of highest Agents, deemd however wise.
Queen of this Universe, doe not believe
Those rigid threats of Death; ye shall not Die: [9.685]
How should ye? by the Fruit? it gives you Life
To Knowledge, By the Threatner? look on mee,
Mee who have touch’d and tasted, yet both live,
And life more perfet have attaind then Fate
Meant mee, by ventring higher then my Lot. [9.690]
Shall that be shut to Man, which to the Beast
Is open? or will God incense his ire
For such a petty Trespass, and not praise
Rather your dauntless vertue, whom the pain
Of Death denounc’t, whatever thing Death be, [9.695]
Deterrd not from atchieving what might leade
To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil;
Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil
Be real, why not known, since easier shunnd?
God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just; [9.700]
Not just, not God; not feard then, nor obeyd:
Your feare it self of Death removes the feare.
Why then was this forbid? Why but to awe,
Why but to keep ye low and ignorant,
His worshippers; he knows that in the day [9.705]
Ye Eate thereof, your Eyes that seem so cleere,
Yet are but dim, shall perfetly be then
Op’nd and cleerd, and ye shall be as Gods,
Knowing both Good and Evil as they know.
That ye should be as Gods, since I as Man, [9.710]
Internal Man, is but proportion meet,
I of brute human, yee of human Gods.
So ye shall die perhaps, by putting off
Human, to put on Gods, death to be wisht,
Though threat’nd, which no worse then this can bring. [9.715]
And what are Gods that Man may not become
As they, participating God-like food?
The Gods are first, and that advantage use
On our belief, that all from them proceeds;
I question it, for this fair Earth I see, [9.720]
Warm’d by the Sun, producing every kind,
Them nothing: If they all things, who enclos’d
Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree,
That whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains
Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies [9.725]
Th’ offence, that Man should thus attain to know?
What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree
Impart against his will if all be his?
Or is it envie, and can envie dwell
In Heav’nly brests? these, these and many more [9.730]
Causes import your need of this fair Fruit.
Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste.

He ended, and his words replete with guile
Into her heart too easie entrance won:
Fixt on the Fruit she gaz’d, which to behold [9.735]
Might tempt alone, and in her ears the sound
Yet rung of his perswasive words, impregn’d
With Reason, to her seeming, and with Truth;
Mean while the hour of Noon drew on, and wak’d
An eager appetite, rais’d by the smell [9.740]
So savorie of that Fruit, which with desire,
Inclinable now grown to touch or taste,
Sollicited her longing eye; yet first
Pausing a while, thus to her self she mus’d.

Great are thy Vertues, doubtless, best of Fruits. [9.745]
Though kept from Man, and worthy to be admir’d,
Whose taste, too long forborn, at first assay	attempt
Gave elocution to the mute, and taught
The Tongue not made for Speech to speak thy praise:
Thy praise hee also who forbids thy use, [9.750]
Conceales not from us, naming thee the Tree
Of Knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil;
Forbids us then to taste, but his forbidding
Commends thee more, while it inferrs the good
By thee communicated, and our want: [9.755]
For good unknown, sure is not had, or had
And yet unknown, is as not had at all.
In plain then, what forbids he but to know,
Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise?
Such prohibitions binde not. But if Death [9.760]
Bind us with after-bands, what profits then
Our inward freedom? In the day we eate
Of this fair Fruit, our doom is, we shall die.
How dies the Serpent? hee hath eat’n and lives,
And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, [9.765]
Irrational till then. For us alone
Was death invented? or to us deni’d
This intellectual food, for beasts reserv’d?
For Beasts it seems: yet that one Beast which first
Hath tasted, envies not, but brings with joy [9.770]
The good befall’n him, Author unsuspect,
Friendly to man, farr from deceit or guile.
What fear I then, rather what know to feare
Under this ignorance of good and Evil,
Of God or Death, of Law or Penaltie? [9.775]
Here grows the Cure of all, this Fruit Divine,
Fair to the Eye, inviting to the Taste,
Of vertue to make wise: what hinders then
To reach, and feed at once both Bodie and Mind?

So saying, her rash hand in evil hour [9.780]
Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck’d, she eat:
Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat
Sighing through all her Works gave signs of woe,
That all was lost. Back to the Thicket slunk
The guiltie Serpent, and well might, for Eve [9.785]
Intent now wholly on her taste, naught else
Regarded, such delight till then, as seemd,
In Fruit she never tasted, whether true
Or fansied so, through expectation high	imagined
Of knowledg, nor was God-head from her thought. [9.790]
Greedily she ingorg’d without restraint,
And knew not eating Death: Satiate at length,
And hight’nd as with Wine, jocond and boon,
Thus to her self she pleasingly began.

O Sovran, vertuous, precious of all Trees [9.795]	sovereign
In Paradise, of operation blest
To Sapience, hitherto obscur’d, infam’d,	knowledge — until now
And thy fair Fruit let hang, as to no end
Created; but henceforth my early care,	from now on
Not without Song, each Morning, and due praise [9.800]
Shall tend thee, and the fertil burden ease
Of thy full branches offer’d free to all;
Till dieted by thee I grow mature
In knowledge, as the Gods who all things know;
Though others envie what they cannot give; [9.805]
For had the gift bin theirs, it had not here
Thus grown. Experience, next to thee I owe,
Best guide; not following thee, I had remaind
In ignorance, thou op’nst Wisdoms way,
And giv’st access, though secret she retire. [9.810]
And I perhaps am secret; Heav’n is high,
High and remote to see from thence distinct	there
Each thing on Earth; and other care perhaps
May have diverted from continual watch
Our great Forbidder, safe with all his Spies [9.815]
About him. But to Adam in what sort
Shall I appeer? shall I to him make known
As yet my change, and give him to partake
Full happiness with mee, or rather not,
But keep the odds of Knowledge in my power [9.820]
Without Copartner? so to add what wants	lacks
In Femal Sex, the more to draw his Love,
And render me more equal, and perhaps,
A thing not undesireable, somtime
Superior: for inferior who is free? [9.825]
This may be well: but what if God have seen
And Death ensue? then I shall be no more,
And Adam wedded to another Eve,
Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct;
A death to think. Confirm’d then I resolve, [9.830]
Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe:
So dear I love him, that with him all deaths
I could endure, without him live no life.

So saying, from the Tree her step she turnd,
But first low Reverence don, as to the power [9.835]
That dwelt within, whose presence had infus’d
Into the plant sciential sap, deriv’d	knowledge-endowed
From Nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while
Waiting desirous her return, had wove
Of choicest Flours a Garland to adorne [9.840]
Her Tresses, and her rural labours crown,
As Reapers oft are wont thir Harvest Queen.	accustomed
Great joy he promis’d to his thoughts, and new
Solace in her return, so long delay’d;
Yet oft his heart, divine of somthing ill, [9.845]
Misgave him; hee the faultring measure felt;
And forth to meet her went, the way she took
That Morn when first they parted; by the Tree
Of Knowledge he must pass, there he her met,
Scarse from the Tree returning; in her hand [9.850]
A bough of fairest fruit that downie smil’d,
New gatherd, and ambrosial smell diffus’d.
To him she hasted, in her face excuse
Came Prologue, and Apologie to prompt,
Which with bland words at will she thus addrest. [9.855]	pleasing

Hast thou not wonderd, Adam, at my stay?
Thee I have misst, and thought it long, depriv’d
Thy presence, agonie of love till now
Not felt, nor shall be twice, for never more
Mean I to trie, what rash untri’d I sought, [9.860]
The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange
Hath bin the cause, and wonderful to heare:
This Tree is not as we are told, a Tree
Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown
Op’ning the way, but of Divine effect [9.865]
To open Eyes, and make them Gods who taste;
And hath bin tasted such: the Serpent wise,
Or not restraind as wee, or not obeying,
Hath eat’n of the fruit, and is become,
Not dead, as we are threatn’d, but thenceforth [9.870]	from then on
Endu’d with human voice and human sense,
Reasoning to admiration, and with mee
Perswasively hath so prevaild, that I
Have also tasted, and have also found
Th’ effects to correspond, opener mine Eyes [9.875]
Dimm erst, dilated Spirits, ampler Heart,	first
And growing up to Godhead; which for thee
Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise.
For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss,
Tedious, unshar’d with thee, and odious soon. [9.880]
Thou therefore also taste, that equal Lot
May joyne us, equal Joy, as equal Love;
Least thou not tasting, different degree
Disjoyne us, and I then too late renounce
Deitie for thee, when Fate will not permit. [9.885]

Thus Eve with Countnance blithe her storie told;
But in her Cheek distemper flushing glowd.	fever
On th’ other side, Adam, soon as he heard
The fatal Trespass don by Eve, amaz’d,
Astonied stood and Blank, while horror chill [9.890]
Ran through his veins, and all his joynts relax’d;
From his slack hand the Garland wreath’d for Eve
Down drop’d, and all the faded Roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke. [9.895]

O fairest of Creation, last and best
Of all Gods works, Creature in whom excell’d
Whatever can to sight or thought be formd,
Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet!
How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost, [9.900]
Defac’t, deflourd, and now to Death devote?
Rather how hast thou yeelded to transgress
The strict forbiddance, how to violate
The sacred Fruit forbidd’n! som cursed fraud
Of Enemie hath beguil’d thee, yet unknown, [9.905]
And mee with thee hath ruind, for with thee
Certain my resolution is to Die;
How can I live without thee, how forgoe
Thy sweet Converse and Love so dearly joyn’d,
To live again in these wilde Woods forlorn? [9.910]
Should God create another Eve, and I
Another Rib afford, yet loss of thee
Would never from my heart; no no, I feel
The Link of Nature draw me: Flesh of Flesh,
Bone of my Bone thou art, and from thy State [9.915]
Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.

So having said, as one from sad dismay
Recomforted, and after thoughts disturbd
Submitting to what seemd remediless,
Thus in calm mood his Words to Eve he turnd. [9.920]

Bold deed thou hast presum’d, adventrous Eve
And peril great provok’t, who thus hath dar’d
Had it been onely coveting to Eye
That sacred Fruit, sacred to abstinence,
Much more to taste it under banne to touch. [9.925]
But past who can recall, or don undoe?
Not God Omnipotent, nor Fate, yet so
Perhaps thou shalt not Die, perhaps the Fact
Is not so hainous now, foretasted Fruit,	already tasted
Profan’d first by the Serpent, by him first [9.930]
Made common and unhallowd ere our taste;	before
Nor yet on him found deadly, he yet lives,
Lives, as thou saidst, and gaines to live as Man
Higher degree of Life, inducement strong
To us, as likely tasting to attaine [9.935]
Proportional ascent, which cannot be
But to be Gods, or Angels Demi-gods.
Nor can I think that God, Creator wise,
Though threatning, will in earnest so destroy
Us his prime Creatures, dignifi’d so high, [9.940]
Set over all his Works, which in our Fall,
For us created, needs with us must faile,
Dependent made; so God shall uncreate,
Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour loose,
Not well conceav’d of God, who though his Power [9.945]
Creation could repeate, yet would be loath
Us to abolish, least the Adversary
Triumph and say; Fickle their State whom God
Most Favors, who can please him long; Mee first
He ruind, now Mankind; whom will he next? [9.950]
Matter of scorne, not to be given the Foe,
However I with thee have fixt my Lot,
Certain to undergoe like doom, if Death
Consort with thee, Death is to mee as Life;	interact
So forcible within my heart I feel [9.955]
The Bond of Nature draw me to my owne,
My own in thee, for what thou art is mine;
Our State cannot be severd, we are one,
One Flesh; to loose thee were to loose my self.

So Adam, and thus Eve to him repli’d. [9.960]
O glorious trial of exceeding Love,
Illustrious evidence, example high!
Ingaging me to emulate, but short
Of thy perfection, how shall I attaine,
Adam, from whose deare side I boast me sprung, [9.965]
And gladly of our Union heare thee speak,
One Heart, one Soul in both; whereof good prooff	experience
This day affords, declaring thee resolvd,
Rather then Death or aught then Death more dread
Shall separate us, linkt in Love so deare, [9.970]
To undergoe with mee one Guilt, one Crime,
If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit,
Whose vertue, for of good still good proceeds,
Direct, or by occasion hath presented
This happie trial of thy Love, which else [9.975]
So eminently never had bin known.
Were it I thought Death menac’t would ensue
This my attempt, I would sustain alone
The worst, and not perswade thee, rather die
Deserted, then oblige thee with a fact [9.980]
Pernicious to thy Peace, chiefly assur’d
Remarkably so late of thy so true,
So faithful Love unequald; but I feel
Farr otherwise th’ event,° not Death, but Life	outcome
Augmented, op’nd Eyes, new Hopes, new Joyes, [9.985]
Taste so Divine, that what of sweet before
Hath toucht my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh.
On my experience, Adam, freely taste,
And fear of Death deliver to the Windes.

So saying, she embrac’d him, and for joy [9.990]
Tenderly wept, much won that he his Love
Had so enobl’d, as of choice to incurr
Divine displeasure for her sake, or Death.
In recompence (for such compliance bad
Such recompence best merits) from the bough [9.995]
She gave him of that fair enticing Fruit
With liberal hand: he scrupl’d not to eat
Against his better knowledge, not deceav’d,
But fondly overcome with Femal charm.
Earth trembl’d from her entrails, as again [9.1000]
In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan,
Skie lowr’d, and muttering Thunder, som sad drops	looked threatening
Wept at compleating of the mortal Sin
Original; while Adam took no thought,
Eating his fill, nor Eve to iterate [9.1005]
Her former trespass fear’d, the more to soothe
Him with her lov’d societie, that now
As with new Wine intoxicated both
They swim in mirth, and fansie that they feel	imagine
Divinitie within them breeding wings [9.1010]
Wherewith to scorne the Earth: but that false Fruit
Farr other operation first displaid,
Carnal desire enflaming, hee on Eve
Began to cast lascivious Eyes, she him
As wantonly repaid; in Lust they burne: [9.1015]
Till Adam thus ’gan Eve to dalliance move,

Eve, now I see thou art exact of taste,
And elegant, of Sapience no small part,
Since to each meaning savour we apply,
And Palate call judicious; I the praise [9.1020]
Yeild thee, so well this day thou hast purvey’d.
Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain’d
From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now
True relish, tasting; if such pleasure be
In things to us forbidden, it might be wish’d, [9.1025]
For this one Tree had bin forbidden ten.
But come, so well refresh’t, now let us play,
As meet is, after such delicious Fare;
For never did thy Beautie since the day
I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn’d [9.1030]
With all perfections, so enflame my sense
With ardor to enjoy thee, fairer now
Then ever, bountie of this vertuous Tree.

So said he, and forbore not glance or toy
Of amorous intent, well understood [9.1035]
Of Eve, whose Eye darted contagious Fire.
Her hand he seis’d, and to a shadie bank,
Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowr’d
He led her nothing loath; Flours were the Couch,
Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel, [9.1040]
And Hyacinth, Earths freshest softest lap.
There they thir fill of Love and Loves disport
Took largely, of thir mutual guilt the Seale,
The solace of thir sin, till dewie sleep
Oppress’d them, wearied with thir amorous play. [9.1045]
Soon as the force of that fallacious Fruit,	delusive
That with exhilerating vapour bland	pleasing
About thir spirits had plaid, and inmost powers
Made erre, was now exhal’d, and grosser sleep
Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams [9.1050]	unnatural
Encumberd, now had left them, up they rose
As from unrest, and each the other viewing,
Soon found thir Eyes how op’nd, and thir minds
How dark’nd; innocence, that as a veile
Had shadow’d them from knowing ill, was gon, [9.1055]
Just confidence, and native righteousness
And honour from about them, naked left
To guiltie shame hee cover’d, but his Robe
Uncover’d more, so rose the Danite strong
Herculean Samson from the Harlot-lap [9.1060]
Of Philistean Dalilah, and wak’d
Shorn of his strength, They destitute and bare
Of all thir vertue: silent, and in face
Confounded long they sate, as struck’n mute,
Till Adam, though not less then Eve abasht, [9.1065]
At length gave utterance to these words constraind.

O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give eare
To that false Worm, of whomsoever taught
To counterfet Mans voice, true in our Fall,
False in our promis’d Rising; since our Eyes [9.1070]
Op’nd we find indeed, and find we know
Both Good and Evil, Good lost, and Evil got,
Bad Fruit of Knowledge, if this be to know,
Which leaves us naked thus, of Honour void,
Of Innocence, of Faith, of Puritie, [9.1075]
Our wonted Ornaments now soild and staind,	usual
And in our Faces evident the signes
Of foul concupiscence; whence evil store;	lust — from where
Even shame, the last of evils; of the first
Be sure then. How shall I behold the face [9.1080]
Henceforth of God or Angel, earst with joy	from now on — earliest
And rapture so oft beheld? those heav’nly shapes
Will dazle now this earthly, with thir blaze
Insufferably bright. O might I here
In solitude live savage, in some glade [9.1085]
Obscur’d, where highest Woods impenetrable
To Starr or Sun-light, spread thir umbrage broad,
And brown as Evening: Cover me ye Pines,
Ye Cedars, with innumerable boughs
Hide me, where I may never see them more. [9.1090]
But let us now, as in bad plight, devise
What best may for the present serve to hide
The Parts of each from other, that seem most
To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen,
Some Tree whose broad smooth Leaves together sowd, [9.1095]
And girded on our loyns, may cover round
Those middle parts, that this new commer, Shame,
There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.

So counsel’d hee, and both together went
Into the thickest Wood, there soon they chose [9.1100]
The Figtree, not that kind for Fruit renown’d,
But such as at this day to Indians known
In Malabar or Decan spreds her Armes
Braunching so broad and long, that in the ground
The bended Twigs take root, and Daughters grow [9.1105]
About the Mother Tree, a Pillard shade
High overarch’t, and echoing Walks between;
There oft the Indian Herdsman shunning heate
Shelters in coole, and tends his pasturing Herds
At Loopholes cut through thickest shade: Those Leaves [9.1110]
They gatherd, broad as Amazonian Targe,
And with what skill they had, together sowd,
To gird thir waste, vain Covering if to hide
Thir guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike
To that first naked Glorie. Such of late [9.1115]	recently
Columbus found th’ American so girt
With featherd Cincture, naked else and wilde
Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores.
Thus fenc’t, and as they thought, thir shame in part
Coverd, but not at rest or ease of Mind, [9.1120]
They sate them down to weep, nor onely Teares
Raind at thir Eyes, but high Winds worse within
Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate,
Mistrust, Suspicion, Discord, and shook sore
Thir inward State of Mind, calm Region once [9.1125]
And full of Peace, now tost and turbulent:
For Understanding rul’d not, and the Will
Heard not her lore, both in subjection now
To sensual Appetite, who from beneathe
Usurping over sovran Reason claimd [9.1130]	sovereign
Superior sway: From thus distemperd brest,	diseased
Adam, estrang’d in look and alterd stile,
Speech intermitted thus to Eve renewd.

Would thou hadst heark’nd to my words, and stai’d
With me, as I besought thee, when that strange [9.1135]
Desire of wandring this unhappie Morn,
I know not whence possessd thee; we had then	from where
Remaind still happie, not as now, despoild
Of all our good, sham’d, naked, miserable.
Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve [9.1140]	from now on
The Faith they owe; when earnestly they seek
Such proof, conclude, they then begin to faile.

To whom soon mov’d with touch of blame thus Eve.
What words have past thy Lips, Adam severe,
Imput’st thou that to my default, or will [9.1145]
Of wandring, as thou call’st it, which who knows
But might as ill have happ’nd thou being by,
Or to thy self perhaps: hadst thou been there,
Or here th’ attempt, thou couldst not have discernd
Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake; [9.1150]
No ground of enmitie between us known,
Why hee should mean me ill, or seek to harme.
Was I to have never parted from thy side?
As good have grown there still a liveless Rib.
Being as I am, why didst not thou the Head [9.1155]
Command me absolutely not to go,
Going into such danger as thou saidst?
Too facil then thou didst not much gainsay,
Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss.
Hadst thou bin firm and fixt in thy dissent, [9.1160]
Neither had I transgress’d, nor thou with mee.

To whom then first incenst Adam repli’d,
Is this the Love, is this the recompence
Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve, exprest
Immutable when thou wert lost, not I, [9.1165]
Who might have liv’d and joyd immortal bliss,
Yet willingly chose rather Death with thee:
And am I now upbraided, as the cause
Of thy transgressing? not enough severe,
It seems, in thy restraint: what could I more? [9.1170]
I warn’d thee, I admonish’d thee, foretold
The danger, and the lurking Enemie
That lay in wait; beyond this had bin force,
And force upon free Will hath here no place.
But confidence then bore thee on, secure [9.1175]
Either to meet no danger, or to finde
Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps
I also err’d in overmuch admiring
What seemd in thee so perfet, that I thought
No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue [9.1180]	dare
That errour now, which is become my crime,
And thou th’ accuser. Thus it shall befall
Him who to worth in Women overtrusting
Lets her Will rule; restraint she will not brook,
And left to her self, if evil thence ensue, [9.1185]
Shee first his weak indulgence will accuse.

Thus they in mutual accusation spent
The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning,
And of thir vain contest appeer’d no end.

The End of the Ninth Book.

← Book 8

Book 10 →

Paradise Lost
Book 9

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Ninth Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost Book 9

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Ninth Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost
Book 9