But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt To God or thee, because we have a foe May tempt it, I expected not to hear. His violence thou fear'st not, being such 280 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 shaken or seduc'd; To whom with healing words Adam reply'd. Thoughts which how found they harbour in thy breast, Adam, misthought of her to thee so dear? Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve, 290 For such thou art, from sin and blame entire: Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid Th' attempt itself, intended by our foe. 295 For he who tempts, though' in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonour foul, suppos'd Not incorruptible of faith, not proof Against temptation: thou thyself with scorn And would'st resent the offer'd wrong, anger Though ineffectual found: misdeem not then, If such affront I labour to avert 300 From thee alone, which on us both at once Or daring, first on me th' assault shall light. 305 1 from the influence of thy looks receive Access in every virtue, in thy sight More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were 310 Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome or over-reach'd, Would utmost vigour raise, and rais'd unite. Why should'st not thou like sense within thee feel 316 With me, best witness of thy virtue try'd? So spake domestic Adam in his care And matrimonial love; but Eve, who thought Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'd. If this be our condition, thus to dwell Sticks no dishonour on our front, but turns 330 Foul on himself: then wherefore shun'd or fear'd By us? Who rather double honour gain From his surmise prov'd false, find peace within, Favour from Heav'n, our witness from th' event. And what is faith, love, virtue unassay'd 335 As not secure to single or combin'd. To whom thus Adam fervently reply'd. O Woman, best are all things as the will Or ought that might his happy state secure, But God left free the will, for what obeys 349 345 350 355 To do what God expressly hath forbid. Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoins, That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve, Since reason not impossibly may meet 360 Some specious object by the foe suborn'd, And fall into deception unaware, Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. Seck no temptation then, which to avoid 365 Were better, and most likely if from me Not seeing thee attempted, who attest? But if thou think, trial unsought may find 379 Us both securer than thus warn'd thou seem'st, Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more; On what thou hast of virtue, summon all, 374 For God towards thee hath done his part, do thine. 380 So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse. 384 THUS saying, from her husband's hand her hand Soft she withdrew, and like a Wood-Nymph light, Likest she seem'd, Pomona when she fled 390 Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her prime, 395 Delighted, but desiring more her stay. Oft he to her his charge of ick return Found'st either sweet repast, or sound repose; To intercept thy way, or send thee back For now, and since first break of dawn the fiend, Their tendence or plantation for delight; By fountain or by shady rivulet tuft He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find 400 405 410 415 420 Of what so seldom chanc'd, when to his wish, Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood, 425 Half spy'd, so thick the roses bushing round About her glow'd, oft stooping to support Each flow'r of slender stalk, whose head though gay |