For fuch thou art, from fin and blame cntire:* Not diffident of thee do I diffuade 295 Thy abfence from my fight, but to avoid The tempted with difhonor foul; fuppos'd From thee alone, which on us both at once were 310 Of outward strength, while fhame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome, or over-reach'd, Would utmoft vigor raife, and rais'd unite, Why shouldft not thou like fenfe within thee feel, When I am present, and the tryal chuse 315 With me, beft witness of thy virtue try'd? So fpake domeftic Adam in his care, Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'd. 320 Single with like defence, where ever met, 325 Sticks no difhonor on our front, but turns 330 Foul on himhelf; then wherefore fhunn'd or fear'd By us? who rather double honor gain From his furmife prov'd falfe, find peace within, Favor from Heav'n, our witness from th event. And what is faith, love, virtue unaffay'd 335 340 O woman! best are all things, as the will 345 350 Of all that he created; much less man, Not then mifttrust, but tender love injoins, That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. Firm we fubfift, yet poffible to swerve, Since reason not impoffible may meet Some fpecious object, by the foe fuborn'd; And fall into deception unaware, 360 Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. Seek not temptation then, which to avoid. Were better; and moft likely, if from me 365 Thou fever not; trial will come unfought. Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? approve First thy obedience; th' other who can know, Not seeing thee attempted? who attest? 1 But if thou think, trial unfought may find 370 Go! for thy ftay, not free, absents thee more; On, what thou haft of virtue; fummon all: › thine, 375 So fpake the patriarch of mankind; but Eve Perfifted, yet fubmifs, though last, reply'd. With thy permiffion then, and thus fore warn'd, Chiefly by what thy own laft reasoning words May find us both perhaps far less prepar'd, 380 more shall shame him his repulle. Thus faying, from her husband's hand her hand 385 Soft fhe withdrew; and like a Wood - Nymph light Oread, or Dryad, or of Delia's train, Betook her to the the groves: but Delia's felf 390 But with fuch gard'ning tools as art, yet rude, 395 Guiltless of fire had form'd, or Angels brought. 400 O much deceiv'd, much failling, hapless Eve! Of thy prefum'd return! event perverfe! 405 Thou never from that hour in Paradife Found'st either sweet repast, or found repofe! Such ambush, laid among fweet flow'rs, and fhades, 410 'Waited with hellifh rancour imminent Mere ferpent in appearance, forth was come, |