Page 330 - PARADISE LOST
P. 330

Paradise Lost


                                  My early visitation, and my last
                                  ;t even, which I bred up with tender hand
                                  From the first opening bud, and gave ye names!
                                  Who now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank
                                  Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount?
                                  Thee lastly, nuptial bower! by me adorned
                                  With what to sight or smell was sweet! from thee
                                  How shall I part, and whither wander down
                                  Into a lower world; to this obscure
                                  And wild? how shall we breathe in other air
                                  Less pure, accustomed to immortal fruits?
                                  Whom thus the Angel interrupted mild.
                                  Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign
                                  What justly thou hast lost, nor set thy heart,
                                  Thus over-fond, on that which is not thine:
                                  Thy going is not lonely; with thee goes
                                  Thy husband; whom to follow thou art bound;
                                  Where he abides, think there thy native soil.
                                  Adam, by this from the cold sudden damp
                                  Recovering, and his scattered spirits returned,
                                  To Michael thus his humble words addressed.
                                  Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or named
                                  Of them the highest; for such of shape may seem
                                  Prince above princes! gently hast thou told
                                  Thy message, which might else in telling wound,
                                  And in performing end us; what besides
                                  Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair,
                                  Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring,
                                  Departure from this happy place, our sweet


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