Paradise Lost

A nice and suttle happiness I see 
Thou to thy self proposest, in the choice 
Of thy Associates, ADAM, and wilt taste 
No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitarie. 
What thinkst thou then of mee, and this my State, 
Seem I to thee sufficiently possest 
Of happiness, or not? who am alone 
From all Eternitie, for none I know 
Second to mee or like, equal much less. 
How have I then with whom to hold converse 
Save with the Creatures which I made, and those 
To me inferiour, infinite descents 
Beneath what other Creatures are to thee? 
  He ceas'd, I lowly answer'd.  To attaine 
The highth and depth of thy Eternal wayes 
All human thoughts come short, Supream of things; 
Thou in thy self art perfet, and in thee 
Is no deficience found; not so is Man, 
But in degree, the cause of his desire 
By conversation with his like to help, 
Or solace his defects.  No need that thou 
Shouldst propagat, already infinite; 
And through all numbers absolute, though One; 
But Man by number is to manifest 
His single imperfection, and beget 
Like of his like, his Image multipli'd, 
In unitie defective, which requires 
Collateral love, and deerest amitie. 
Thou in thy secresie although alone, 
Best with thy self accompanied, seek'st not 
Social communication, yet so pleas'd, 
Canst raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt 
Of Union or Communion, deifi'd; 
I by conversing cannot these erect 
From prone, nor in thir wayes complacence find. 
Thus I embold'nd spake, and freedom us'd 
Permissive, and acceptance found, which gain'd 
This answer from the gratious voice Divine. 
  Thus farr to try thee, ADAM, I was pleas'd, 
And finde thee knowing not of Beasts alone, 
Which thou hast rightly nam'd, but of thy self, 
Expressing well the spirit within thee free, 
My Image, not imparted to the Brute, 
Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee 
Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike, 
And be so minded still; I, ere thou spak'st, 
Knew it not good for Man to be alone, 
And no such companie as then thou saw'st 
Intended thee, for trial onely brought, 
To see how thou could'st judge of fit and meet: 
What next I bring shall please thee, be assur'd, 
Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 
Thy wish, exactly to thy hearts desire. 
  Hee ended, or I heard no more, for now 
My earthly by his Heav'nly overpowerd, 
Which it had long stood under, streind to the highth 
In that celestial Colloquie sublime, 
As with an object that excels the sense, 
Dazl'd and spent, sunk down, and sought repair 
Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd 
By Nature as in aide, and clos'd mine eyes. 
Mine eyes he clos'd, but op'n left the Cell 
Of Fancie my internal sight, by which 
Abstract as in a transe methought I saw, 
Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape 
Still glorious before whom awake I stood; 
Who stooping op'nd my left side, and took 
From thence a Rib, with cordial spirits warme, 
And Life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, 
But suddenly with flesh fill'd up & heal'd: 
The Rib he formd and fashond with his hands; 
Under his forming hands a Creature grew, 
Manlike, but different sex, so lovly faire, 
That what seemd fair in all the World, seemd now 
Mean, or in her summd up, in her containd 
And in her looks, which from that time infus'd 
Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 
And into all things from her Aire inspir'd 
The spirit of love and amorous delight. 
She disappeerd, and left me dark, I wak'd 
To find her, or for ever to deplore 
Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure: 
When out of hope, behold her, not farr off, 
Such as I saw her in my dream, adornd 
With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow 
To make her amiable: On she came, 
Led by her Heav'nly Maker, though unseen, 
And guided by his voice, nor uninformd 
Of nuptial Sanctitie and marriage Rites: 
Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her Eye, 
In every gesture dignitie and love. 
I overjoyd could not forbear aloud. 
  This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill'd 
Thy words, Creator bounteous and benigne, 
Giver of all things faire, but fairest this 
Of all thy gifts, nor enviest.  I now see 
Bone of my Bone, Flesh of my Flesh, my Self 
Before me; Woman is her Name, of Man 
Extracted; for this cause he shall forgoe 
Father and Mother, and to his Wife adhere;