150 Such Enlightening her by day, as she by night know. This Earth-reciprocal, if land be there, ledge is Fields and inhabitants? Her spots thou seest too high for thee As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce Fruits in her softened soil, for some to eat Allotted there; and other Suns, perhaps, With their attendant Moons, thou wilt descry, Communicating male and female light— Which two great sexes animate the World, Stored in each Orb perhaps with some that live. For such vast room in Nature unpossessed By living soul, desert and desolate, Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute Each Orb a glimpse of light, conveyed so far Down to this habitable, which returns Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. But whether thus these things, or whether notWhether the Sun, predominant in heaven, Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun; He from the east his flaming road begin, Or she from west her silent course advance With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft axle, while she paces even, And bears thee soft with the smooth air along— Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid; Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Of other creatures as him pleases best, Wherever placed, let him dispose; joy thou 170 In what he gives to thee, this Paradise And thy fair Eve; Heaven is for thee too high To know what passes there. Be lowly wise; Think only what concerns thee and thy being; Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there Live, in what state, condition, or degree 160 Contented that thus far hath been revealed 180 How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure But apt the mind or fancy is to rove Unchecked; and of her roving is no end, Till warned, or by experience taught, she learn 190 200 my remembrance; now hear me relate Inviting thee to hear while I relate— too high for thee 150 Such Enlightening her by day, as she by night know- This Earth-reciprocal, if land be there, ledge is Fields and inhabitants? Her spots thou seest As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce Fruits in her softened soil, for some to eat Allotted there; and other Suns, perhaps, With their attendant Moons, thou wilt descry, Communicating male and female light— Which two great sexes animate the World, Stored in each Orb perhaps with some that live. For such vast room in Nature unpossessed By living soul, desert and desolate, Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute Each Orb a glimpse of light, conveyed so far Down to this habitable, which returns Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. But whether thus these things, or whether notWhether the Sun, predominant in heaven, Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun; He from the east his flaming road begin, Or she from west her silent course advance With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft axle, while she paces even, And bears thee soft with the smooth air alongSolicit not thy thoughts with matters hid; Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Of other creatures as him pleases best, Wherever placed, let him dispose; joy thou 170 In what he gives to thee, this Paradise And thy fair Eve; Heaven is for thee too high To know what passes there. Be lowly wise; Think only what concerns thee and thy being; Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there Live, in what state, condition, or degree 160 Contented that thus far hath been revealed 180 How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure But apt the mind or fancy is to rove 200 Adam proposes to relate his own tale Raphael Fond, were it not in hope of thy reply. heavenly For, while I sit with thee, I seem in Heaven; 210 meek And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear agrees Than fruits of palm-tree, pleasantest to thirst And hunger both, from labour, at the hour Of sweet repast. They satiate, and soon fill, Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety.' 820 Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of Men, Or 230 enemy, while God was in his work, Our 239 prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut, |