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To them made common and divulg'd, if ought

Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue

585

The foul of man, or paffion in him move.
What high'er in her society thou find'st
Attractive, human, rational, love ftill;
In loving thou doft well, in paffion not,
Wherein true love confifts not; love refines
The thoughts, and heart inlarges, hath his feat
In rea'son, and is judicious, is the scale
By which to heav'nly love thou may'st ascend,
Not funk in carnal pleasure, for which cause
Among the beafts no mate for thee was found.
To whom thus half abash'd Adam reply'd.
Neither her outfide form'd so fair, nor ought
In procreation common to all kinds
(Though higher of the genial bed by far,
And with myfterious reverence I deem)

So much delights me, as thofe graceful acts,
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 foul;
Harmony to behold in wedded pair

More grateful than harmonious found 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 reprefenting; yet ftill free

Approve the best, and follow what I approve.

599

595

600

605

610

Το

To love thou blam'ft me not, for love thou fay'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 Spi'rits, and how their love 615
Exprefs they, by looks only', or do they mix
Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?

To whom the Angel with a fmile that glow'd
Celestial rofy red, love's proper hue,
Anfwer'd. Let it fuffice thee that thou know'ft
Us happy', and without love no happiness.
Whatever pure thou in the body' enjoy'st
(And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
In eminence, and obftacle find none

Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclufive bars;
Eafier than air with air, if Spirits embrace,
Total they mix, union of pure with

pure

Defiring; nor restrain'd conveyance need
As flèfh to mix with flesh, or foul with foul.
But I can now no more; the parting fun

Beyond the earth's green Cape and verdant Iles
Hefperian fets, my fignal to depart.

620

625

630

Be ftrong, live happy', and love, but first of all
Him whom to love is to obey, and keep

His great command; take heed left paffion fway 635
Thy judgment to do ought, 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 perfevering shall rejoice,

And all the Bleft: stand faft; to stand or fall

640

Free

Free in thine own arbitrement it lies.
Perfect within, no outward aid require;
And all temptation to tranfgrefs repel.
So faying, he arofe; whom Adam thus
Follow'd with benediction. Since to part,

645

Go heav'nly Guest, ethereal Messenger,
Sent from whofe fovran goodness I adore.

Gentle to me and affable hath been

Thy condefcenfion, and shall be' honor'd ever

With grateful memory: thou to mankind

650

Be good and friendly still, and oft return.
So parted they, the Angel up to Heaven
From the thick fhade, and Adam to his bower.

THE END OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.

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