7

Lament not Eve, but patiently resigne

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 [ 290 ]

Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;

Where he abides, think there thy native soile.

Adam by this from the cold sudden damp

Recovering, and his scatterd spirits returnd,

To Michael thus his humble words addressd. [ 295 ]

Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or namd

Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem

Prince above Princes, gently hast thou tould

Thy message, which might else in telling wound,

And in performing end us; what besides [ 300 ]

Of sorrow and dejection and despair

Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,

Departure from this happy place, our sweet

Recess, and onely consolation left

Familiar to our eyes, all places else [ 305 ]

Inhospitable appeer and desolate,

Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer

Incessant I could hope to change the will

Of him who all things can, I would not cease

To wearie him with my assiduous cries: [ 310 ]

But prayer against his absolute Decree

No more availes then breath against the winde,

Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:

Therefore to his great bidding I submit.

This most afflicts me, that departing hence, [ 315 ]

As from his face I shall be hid, deprivd

His blessed countnance; here I could frequent,

With worship, place by place where he voutsafd

Presence Divine, and to my Sons relate;

On this Mount he appeerd, under this Tree [ 320 ]

Stood visible, among these Pines his voice

I heard, here with him at this Fountain talkd:

So many grateful Altars I would reare

Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone

Of lustre from the brook, in memorie, [ 325 ]

Or monument to Ages, and thereon

Offer sweet smelling Gumms and Fruits and Flours:

In yonder nether World where shall I seek

His bright appearances, or foot step-trace?