Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best! 550 All higher knowledge in her presence falls
Degraded! Wisdom in discourse with her Loses, discount'nanc'd, and, like folly, shows.
Authority and reason on her wait,
As one intended first, not after made
Occasionally: and to consummate all,
Greatness of Mind and Nobleness their seat
Build in her, loveliest, and create an awe
About her, as a guard angelic plac'd!
: To whom the Angel, with contracted brow:
Accuse not Nature; she hath done her part:
Do thou but thine, and be not diffident
Of wisdom; she deserts thee not, if thou
Dismiss not her when most thou need'st hernigh,
By attributing overmuch to things
Less excellent, as thou thyself perceiv'st.
For what admir'st thou? what transports thee so?
An outside? Fair no doubt, and worthy well
Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love;
Not thy subjection. Weigh with her thyself,
Then value. Oft-times nothing profits more
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right
Wellmanag'd. Of thatskill themore thou know'st,
The more she will acknowledge thee her head,
And to realities yield all her shows;
Made so adorn for thy delight the more,
So awful, that with honour thou may'st love
Thymate, who sees when thou art seen least wise.
But if the sense of touch, whereby mankind
Is propagated, seem such dear delight
Beyond all other, think the same vouchsaf'd
To cattle and each beast; which would not be
To them made common and divulg'd, if aught
Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue
The soul of man, or passion in him move. 585
What higher in her society thou find'st
Attractive, human, rational, love still.
In loving thou dost well, in passion not, Wherein true love consists not. Love refines
The thoughts, and heart enlarges; hath his seat In reas'n, and is judicious; is the scale 591 By which to heav'nly love thou may'st ascend, Not sunk in carnal pleasure: for which cause Among the beasts no mate for thee was found.
To whom thus, half abash'd, Adam reply'd : Neither her outside, form'd so fair, nor aught In procreation, common to all kinds, (Though higher of the genial bed by far, And with mysterious réverence I deem) So much delights me as those graceful acts, 600 Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions, mix'd with love And sweet compliance; which declare unfeign'd Union of mind, or in us both one soul :
Harmony to behold in wedded pair,
More grateful than harmonious sound to th' ear.
Yet these subject not: I to thee disclose.
What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd,
Who meet with various objects, from the sense
Variously representing; yet, still free,
Approve the best, and follow what I approve.
To love thou blam'st me not; for love thou say'st
Leads up to Heav'n; is both the way and guide.
Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask :
Love not the heav'nly Sp'rits? and how their love
Express they? by looks only'? or do they mix
Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?
To whom the Angel, with a smile that glow'd
Celestial rosy red, (love's proper hue)
Answer'd: Let it suffice thee that thou know'st
Us happy'; and without love no happiness. 621
Whatever pure thou in the body' enjoy'st
(And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
In eminence, and obstacle find none
Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars. 625
Easier than air with air, if Sp'rits embrace,
Total they mix, union of pure with pure
Desiring; not restrain'd conveyance need,
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul.
But I can now no more; the parting sun
Beyond the earth's green cape and verdant isles
Hesperian sets, my signal to depart.
Be strong, live happy', and love, but first of all,
Him whom to love is to obey, and keep
His great command: take heed lest passion sway
Thy judgment to do aught which else free will
Would not admit; thine and of all thy sons
The weal or woe in thee is plac'd: beware.
I in thy persevering shall rejoice,
And all the Blest. Stand fast; to stand or fall Free in thine own arbitrement it lies.
Perfect within, no outward aid require;
And all temptation to transgress repel.
So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus Follow'd with benediction. Since to part, 645 Go heav'nly Guest, ethereal Messenger, Sent from whose sov'reign goodness I adore. Gentle to me and affable hath been Thy condescension, and shall be' honour'd ever With grateful memory: thou to mankind 650 Be good and friendly still, and oft return.
So parted they; the Angel up to Heav'n From the thick shade, and Adam to his bow'r.
|