Morning approach'd, Eve relates to Adam her troublefome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her : They come forth to their day labors: Their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God to render man inexcufable fends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free eftate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever elfe may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradife, his appearance defcrib'd, his coming difcern'd by Adam afar off fitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choiceft fruits of Paradife got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his meffage, minds Adam of his ftate and of his enemy; relates at Adam's request who that enemy is, and how he came to be fo, beginning from his firft revolt in Heaven, and the occafion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, perfuading all but only Abdiel a Seraph, who in argument diffuades and opposes him, then forfakes him.
OW morn her rofy steps in th' eastern clime Advancing, fow'd the earth with orient pearl, When Adam wak'd, fo custom'd, for his fleep Was aery light from pure digeftion bred, And temp'rate vapors bland, which th' only found Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, Lightly difpers'd, and the shrill matin fong Of birds on every bough; fo much the more His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve With treffes difcompos'd, and glowing cheek, As through unquiet reft: he on his fide
Leaning half rais'd, with looks of cordial love Hung over her enamour'd, and beheld Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, Her hand foft touching, whifper'd thus. Awake My faireft, my efpous'd, my latest found, Heav'n's last best gift, my ever new delight, Awake; the morning fhines, and the freth field Calls us; we lofe the prime, to mark how fpring Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove,
What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed, How nature paints her colors, how the bee Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.
Such whisp'ring wak'd her, but with startled eye On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake.
O fole in whom my thoughts find all repofe, My glory, my perfection, glad I fee
Thy face, and morn return'd; for I this night
(Such night till this I never pass'd) have dream'd, If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee, Works of day past, or morrow's next design, But of offenfe and trouble, which my mind Knew never till this irkfome night: methought Clofe at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk. With gentle voice, I thought it thine; it said, Why fleep'ft thou, Eve? now is the pleasant time, The cool, the filent, fave where filence yields To the night-warbling bird, that now awake Tunes fweeteft his love-labor'd fong; now reigns Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleasing light Shadowy fets off the face of things; in vain, If none regard; Heav'n wakes with all his eyes, Whom to behold but thee, Nature's defire? In whofe fight all things joy, with ravishment Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.
I rofe as at thy call, but found thee not; To find thee I directed then my walk;
And on, methought, alone I pafs'd through ways That brought me on a sudden to the tree Of interdicted knowledge; fair it feem'd,
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