God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree, Among so many signs of power and rule Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given 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 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 Under a shade on flowers, much wondering where Of waters issued from a cave, and spread Pure as the expanse of Heaven: I thither went A shape within the watery gleam appear'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 66 Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy "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, |