8
So neer grows Death to Life, what ere Death is, [ 425 ]
Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,
The only sign of our obedience left
Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,
Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground
Over all other Creatures that possess
In Paradise that bear delicious fruit
One easie prohibition, who enjoｒeａｄ.99ｃｓｗ•cｏmy
Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree [ 395 ]
To first of women Eve thus moving speech,
Neerer to view his prey, and unespid
Honour and Empire with revenge enlargd, [ 390 ]
Down he alights among the sportful Herd
In some Purlieu two gentle Fawnes at play,
Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,
To prune these growing Plants, and tend these Flours,
Wh九*九*藏*書ence rushing he might surest seize them both
Conferrd upon us, and Dominion givn [ 430 ]
Be infinitly good, and of his good
Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.
By conquering this new World, compels me now
But let us ever praise him, and extoll
From us no other service then to keep [ 420 ]
Then as a Tyger, who by chance hath spid
Aught whereof hee hath need, hee wｈｔｔｐs://rｅad.９9csｗ•ｃｏmho requires
Earth, Aire, and Sea. Then let us not think hard
Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power
So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,
That raisd us from the dust and plact us here
Strait couches close, then rising changes oft [ 405 ]
Among so many signes of power and rule
And should I at your harmless innocence
A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,
To mark w九九藏書hat of thir state he more might learn [ 400 ]
As liberal and free as infinite, [ 415 ]
God hath pronounct it death to taste that Tree,
Now other, as thir shape servd best his end
Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst
Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,
Gript in each paw: when Adam first of men
Unlimited of manifold delights: [ 435 ]
In all this happiness, who at his hand
By word or action markt: about them round
That made us, and for us this ample World
So various, not to taste that onely Tree
Have nothing merited, nor can performe
To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.
The Tyrants plea, excusd his devilish deeds.
Turnd him all eare to hear new utterance flow. [ 410 ]
This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees