Why stand we longer shivering under fears, 1005 That show no end but death, and have the power, Of many ways to die the shortest choosing, Destruction with destruction to destroy? She ended here, or vehement despair Broke off the rest; so much of death her thoughts Had entertain'd, as dy'd her cheeks with pale. But Adam, with such counsel nothing sway'd, 1010 To better hopes his more attentive mind Labouring had rais'd, and thus to Eve reply'd. 1020 Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems To argue in thee something more sublime And excellent than what thy mind contemns; 1015 But self-destruction therefore sought refutes That excellence thought in thee, and implies, Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd. Or if thou covet death, as utmost end Of misery, so thinking to evade The penalty pronounc'd, doubt not but God Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire than so To be forestall'd: much more I fear lest death So snatch'd will not exempt us from the pain 1025 We are by doom to pay: rather such acts Of contumacy will provoke the Highest To make death in us live: then let us seek 1009 pale] Virg. Æn. iv. 499. 'Hæc effata silet; pallor simul occupat ora.' Jortin. Compare Æn. iv. 644. Lucan, vii. 130. Hume. Some safer resolution, which methinks 1030 1035 1040 I have in view, calling to mind with heed 1045 1051 1056 Cloth'd us unworthy, pitying while he judg'd. And teach us further by what means to shun 1071 Justling or push'd with winds rude in their shock And sends a comfortable heat from far, [down Such fire to use, And what may else be remedy or cure To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, He will instruct us praying, and of grace 1071 foment] Virg. Æn. i. 175. 'Suscepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum Hume. 1081 1078 fire] 'Be tired with holy fire.' Quarles' Emblems, p. 293. 1076 or pine] Fenton and Bentley read' and pine.' 1090 Beseeching him, so as we need not fear From his displeasure, in whose look serene, and mercy shone? 1100 So spake our father penitent, nor Eve Felt less remorse: they forthwith, to the place Repairing where he judg'd them, prostrate fell Before him reverent, and both confess'd Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek. 1091 Frequenting] Tempesting. Bentl. MS. so in line 1103. 223 PARADISE LOST. BOOK XI. THE ARGUMENT. THE Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in paradise; sends Michael with a band of cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him: the angel denounces their departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: the angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the flood. THUS they in lowliest plight repentant stood The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh Inspir'd, and wing'd for heaven with speedier flight Not of mean suitors, nor important less 11 In fables old] Fables told this. Bentl. MS. |