Paradise Lost

Fraile is our happiness, if this be so, 
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 ordaind them, his creating hand 
Nothing imperfet or deficient left 
Of all that he Created, much less Man, 
Or ought that might his happie State secure, 
Secure from outward force; within himself 
The danger lies, yet lies within his power: 
Against his will he can receave no harme. 
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 
She dictate false, and missinforme the Will 
To do what God expresly hath forbid. 
Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes, 
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. 
Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve, 
Since Reason not impossibly may meet 
Some specious object by the Foe subornd, 
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 
Thou sever not; Trial will come unsought. 
Wouldst thou approve thy constancie, approve 
First thy obedience; th' other who can know, 
Not seeing thee attempted, who attest? 
But if thou think, trial unsought may finde 
Us both securer then thus warnd thou seemst, 
Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more; 
Go in thy native innocence, relie 
On what thou hast of vertue, summon all, 
For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine. 
  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, 
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 
Soft she withdrew, and like a Wood-Nymph light 
OREAD or DRYAD, or of DELIA's Traine, 
Betook her to the Groves, but DELIA's self 
In gate surpass'd and Goddess-like deport, 
Though not as shee with Bow and Quiver armd, 
But with such Gardning Tools as Are yet rude, 
Guiltless of fire had formd, or Angels brought, 
To PALES, or POMONA, thus adornd, 
Likest she seemd, POMONA when she fled 
VERTUMNUS, or to CERES in her Prime, 
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 
To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre, 
And all things in best order to invite 
Noontide repast, or Afternoons repose. 
O much deceav'd, much failing, hapless EVE, 
Of thy presum'd return! event perverse! 
Thou never from that houre in Paradise 
Foundst either sweet repast, or found repose; 
Such ambush hid among sweet Flours and Shades 
Waited with hellish rancor imminent 
To intercept thy way, or send thee back 
Despoild of Innocence, of Faith, of Bliss. 
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 
The whole included Race, his purposd prey. 
In Bowre and Field he sought, where any tuft 
Of Grove or Garden-Plot more pleasant lay, 
Thir tendance or Plantation for delight, 
By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet 
He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find 
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, 
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 
Gently with Mirtle band, mindless the while, 
Her self, though fairest unsupported Flour, 
From her best prop so farr, and storn so nigh. 
Neererhe drew, and many a walk travers'd 
Of stateliest Covert, Cedar, Pine, or Palme, 
Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen 
Among thick-wov'n Arborets and Flours 
Imborderd on each Bank, the hand of EVE: 
Spot more delicious then those Gardens feign'd