Save with the creatures which I made, and those To me inferior, infinite descents, Beneath what other creatures are to thee? He ceas'd, I lowly answer'd. To attain The height and depth of thy internal ways 410 415 Is no deficiency found; not so is Man, Like of his like, his image multiply'd, In unity defective, which requires 425 Best with thyself accompanied, scek'st not Social communication, yet so pleas'd, Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wilt of union or communion, deify'd; 431 I by conversing cannot these erect From prone, nor in their ways complacence find, Permissive, and acceptance found, which gain'd 435 THUS far to try thee, Adam, I was pleas'd, And find thee knowing not of beasts alone, Which thou hast rightly nam'd, but of thyself, To see how thou could'st judge of fit and meet : He ended, or I heard no more, for now My earthly by his heav'nly overpower'd, Which it had long stood under, strain'd to th' height 440 445 450 455 As with an object that excels the sense Dazzled and spent, sunk down, and sought repair Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd By nature as in aid, and clos'd mine eyes. Mine eyes he clos'd, but open left the cell 460 Of fancy my internal sight, by which Who stooping open'd my left side, and took 465 From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm, And life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd : The rib he form'd and fashion'd with his hands; Under his forming hands a creature grew, Manlike, but different sex so lovely fair, That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd 470 And in her looks, which from that time infus'd Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 475 And into all things from her air inspir'd She disappear'd, and left me dark; I wak'd Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure : 480 When out of hope, behold her, not far off, Led by her heav'nly Maker, though unseen, 485 Of nuptial sanctity and marriage rites: Grace was in all her steps, Heav'n in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love. I overjoy'd could not forbear aloud. 490 THIS turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfill'd Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign, Giver of all things fair, but fairest this Of all thy gifts, nor enviest. I now see 495 Father and mother, and to' his wife adhere; And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul. SHE heard me thus, and though divinely brought, 500 Yet innocence and virgin modesty, Her virtue and the conscience of her worth, That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won, Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir'd, The more desirable, or to say all, 505 Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turn'd; I follow'd her, she what was honour knew, And with obsequious majesty approv'd My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower 510 I led her blushing like the morn: all Heaven, And happy constellations on that hour Shed their selectest influence; the earth Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill; Joyous the birds; fresh gales and gentle air 515 Disporting, till the amorous bird of night Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star On his hill top, to light the bridal lamp. 520 THUS have I told thee all my state, and brought My story to the sum of earthly bliss Which I enjoy, and must confess to find In all things else delight indeed, but such As us❜d or not, works in the mind no change, 525 I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks, and the melody of birds; but here Far otherwise, transported I behold, Transported touch; here passion first I felt, 530 Against the charm of beauty's pow'rful glance. 535 For well I understand in the prime end 540 Of nature her th' inferior, in the mind And in herself complete, so well to know 559 555 |