708. Here, in close recess,
709. With Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling Herbs,
710. Espoused Eve deckt first her Nuptial Bed;
711. And heavenly Choirs the hymenæan sung,
. . . .
720. Thus at thir shady Lodge arriv'd, both stood,
721. Both turn'd, and under op'n sky ador'd
722. The God that made both Sky, Air, Earth, and Heav'n,
723. Which they beheld, the Moon's resplendent Globe,
724. And starry Pole: Thou also mad'st the Night,
725. Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day,
726. Which we, in our appointed work imploy'd,
727. Have finisht, happy in our mutual help
728. And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss
729. Ordain'd by thee; and this delicious place
730. For us too large, where thy abundance wants
731. Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.
732. But thou hast promis'd from us two a Race
733. To fill the Earth, who shall with us extol
734. Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,
735. And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.
736. This said unanimous, and other Rites
737. Observing none, but adoration pure
738. Which God likes best, into thir inmost bower
739. Handed they went; and, eas'd the putting off
740. These troublesome disguises which we wear,
741. Straight side by side were laid; nor turn'd I ween,
742. Adam from his fair Spouse, nor Eve the Rites
743. Mysterious of connubial Love refus'd:
744. Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk
745. Of purity and place and innocence,
746. Defaming as impure what God declares
747. Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all.
748. Our Maker bids encrease; who bids abstain
749. But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?
750. Hail, wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source
751. Of human offspring, sole propriety
752. In Paradise of all things common else.
753. By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men
754. Among the bestial herds to range; by thee
755. Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure,
756. Relations dear, and all the Charities
757. Of Father, Son, and Brother, first were known.
758. Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
759. Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
760. Perpetual Fountain of Domestick sweets,
761. Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc't,
762. Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us'd.
763. Here Love his golden shafts imploys, here lights
764. His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,
765. Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile
766. Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindear'd,
767. Casual fruition; nor in Court Amours,
768. Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Ball,
769. Or Serenate, which the starv'd Lover sings
770. To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.
771. These lull'd by Nightingales imbracing slept,
772. And on thir naked limbs the flow'ry roof
773. Show'r'd Roses, which the Morn repair'd. Sleep on,
774. Blest pair; and, O yet happiest, if ye seek
775. No happier state, and know to know no more!

1013. Carnal desire inflaming; hee on Eve
1014. Began to cast lascivious Eyes; she him
1015. As wantonly repaid; in Lust they burn:
1016. Till Adam thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move.
1017. Eve, now I see thou are exact of taste,
1018. And elegant, of Sapience no small part;
1019. Since to each meaning savor we apply,
1020. And Palate call judicious; I the praise
1021. Yield thee, so well this day thou hast purvey'd.
1022. Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd
1023. From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now
1024. True relish, tasting; if such pleasure be
1025. In things to us forbidden, it might be wish'd,
1026. For this one Tree had been forbidden ten.
1027. But come, so well refresh't, now let us play,
1028. As meet is, after such delicious Fare;
1029. For never did thy Beauty, since the day
1030. I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd
1031. With all perfections, so inflame my sense
1032. With ardor to enjoy thee, fairer now
1033. Than ever; bounty of this virtuous Tree!
1034. So said he, and forbore not glance or toy
1035. Of amorous intent, well understood
1036. Of Eve, whose Eye darted contagious Fire.
1037. Her hand he seiz'd; and to a shady bank,
1038. Thick over-head with verdant roof imbowr'd,
1039. He led her nothing loath; Flow'rs were the Couch,
1040. Pansies, and Violets, and Asphodel,
1041. And Hyacinth; Earth's freshest softest lap.
1042. There they thir fill of Love and Love's disport
1043. Took largely, of thir mutual guilt the Seal,
1044. The solace of their sin, till dewy sleep
1045. Oppress'd them, wearied with thir amorous play,
1046. Soon as the force of that fallacious Fruit,
1047. That with exhilarating vapor bland
1048. About thir spirits had play'd, and inmost powers
1049. Made err, was now exhal'd; and grosser sleep
1050. Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams
1051. Encumber'd, now had left them, up they rose
1052. As from unrest, and, each the other viewing,
1053. Soon found thir Eyes how op'n'd, and thir minds
1054. How dark'n'd; innocence, that as a veil
1055. Had shadow'd them from knowing ill, was gone;
1056. Just confidence, and native righteousness,
1057. And honor, from about them, naked left
1058. To guilty shame: hee cover'd, but his Robe
1059. Uncovered more..