God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree,
The only sign of our obedience left,

Among so many signs of power and rule

Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given
Over all other creatures that possess

Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard

One easy prohibition, who enjoy

Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
Unlimited of manifold delights:

But let us ever praise Him, and extol

His bounty, following our delightful task,

Το

prune these growing plants, and tend these flowers, Which were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet.

To whom thus Eve replied. O thou for whom
And from whom I was form'd, flesh of thy flesh,
And without whom am to no end, my guide
And head! what thou hast said is just and right.
For we to Him indeed all praises owe,
And daily thanks; I chiefly, who enjoy
So far the happier lot, enjoying thee
Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou
Like consort to thyself canst no where find.
That day I oft remember, when from sleep
I first awak'd, and found myself repos'd

Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where
And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.
Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound

Of waters issued from a cave, and spread
Into a liquid plain, then stood unmov'd

Pure as the expanse of Heaven: I thither went
With unexperienc'd thought, and laid me down
On the green bank, to look into the clear
Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky.
As I bent down to look, just opposite

A shape within the watery gleam appear'd,
Bending to look on me: I started back,
It started back; but pleas'd I soon return'd,
Pleas'd it return'd as soon with answering looks
Of sympathy and love: there I had fix'd

Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire, Had not a voice thus warn'd me; "What thou seest, "What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself; "With thee it came and goes: but follow me,

"And I will bring thee where no shadow stays "Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he

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Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy
Inseparably thine, to him shalt bear

"Multitudes like thyself, and thence be call'd

Mother of human race." What could I do,

But follow straight, invisibly thus led?

Till I espied thee, fair indeed and tall,

Under a planate; yet methought less fair,

Less winning soft, less amiably mild,

Than that smooth watery image: Back I turn'd;

Thou following cry'dst aloud, "Return, fair Eve,

"Whom fly'st thou? whom thou fly'st, of him thou art, "His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent

"Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart,