More lovely than PANDORA, whom the Gods Endow'd with all their gifts, (and O, too like 715 In sad event!) when to th' unwiser son Of JAPHET brought by HERMES, she insnar'd Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd On him who had stole JOVE's authentic fire.
Thus at their shady Lodge arriv'd, both stood, 720 Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd The God that made both sky, air, earth and heav'n, Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, And starry pole: Thou also mad'ft the night, Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day Which we in our appointed work employ'd Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help, And mutual love, the crown of all our blifs Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place For us too large, where thy abundance wants Partakers, and uncrop'd falls to the ground. But thou haft promis'd from us two a race To fill the earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,
And when we feek, as now, thy gift of fleep. 735
This faid unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure, Which GoD likes best, into their inmost bow'r Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear, Straight fide by fide were laid: nor turn'd I ween ADAM from his fair spouse, nor EVE the rites
Mysterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity and place and innocence, Defaming as impure what GOD declares Pure, and commands to fome, leaves free to all. Our maker bids increase, who bids abstain
But our destroyer, foe to God and man?
Hail wedded love! mysterious law, true source 750 Of human offspring, fole propriety In Paradife, of all things common else. By thee adult'rous lust was driv'n from men, Among the bestial herds to range; by thee, (Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure) Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, fon, and brother first were known. Far be it, that I should write thee fin or blame; Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual, fountain of domeftic sweets! Whose bed is undefil'd and chafte pronounc'd, Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us'd. Here Love his golden thafts employs, here lights His conftant lamp, and waves his purple wings; Reigns here and revels: not in the bought smile 765 Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, Casual fruition, nor in Court-amours
Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or ferenade, which the starv'd lover fings To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on Bleft pair; and O! yet happieft, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more. 775
Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth ifsuing at th' accustom'd hour, stood arm'd To their night watches in warlike parade, When GABRIEL to his next in pow'r thus spake.
UZZIEL, half these draw off, and coaft the fouth With strictest watch: these other wheel the north, Our circuit meets full west. As flame they part Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 785.
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