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Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat
Build in her loveliest, and create an awe
About her, as a guard angelic plac'd.

To whom the Angel with contracted brow.
Accuse not nature, she hath done her part ;
Do thou but thine, and be not diffident

Of wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou
Dismiss not her, when most thou need'st her nigh,
By attributing overmuch to things

Less excellent, as thou thyself perceiv'st.

560

565

570

For what admir'st thou, what transports thee so,
An outside ? fair no douht, and worthy well
Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love,
Not thy subjection: weigh with her thyself;
Then value: Oft-times nothing profits more
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right
Well-manag'd; of that skill the more thou know'st,
The more she will acknowledge thee her head,
And to realities yield all her shows:

575

Made so adorn for thy delight the more,

So awful, that with honour thou may'st love

Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise.
But if the sense of touch whereby mankind

Is propagated seem such dear delight

580

Beyond all other, think the same vouchsaf'd

To cattle and each beast; which would not be

To them made common and divulg'd, if ought
Therein enjoy'd were worthy to subdue
The soul of man, or passion in him move.
What high'er in her society thou find'st

585

Attractive, human, rational, love still;

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In loving thou dost well, in passion not,
Wherein true love consists not; love refines
The thoughts, and heart enlarges, hath his seat
In reas'on, and is judicious, is the scale
By which to heav'nly love thou may'st ascend,
Not sunk in carnal pleasure, for which cause
Among the beasts no mate for thee was found.
To whom thus half abash'd Adam reply'd.
Neither her outside form'd so fair, nor ought
In procreation common to all kinds
(Though higher of the genial bed by far,
And with mysterious reverence I deem)
So much delights mc, as those graceful acts,
Those thousand decencies that daily flow
From all her words and actions mix'd with love
And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd
Union of mind, or in us both one soul;
Harmony to behold in wedded pair

More grateful than harmonious sound to th' ear.
Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose
What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd,
Who meet with various objects, from the sense
Variously representing; yet still free

Approve the best, and follow what I approve.

To love thou blam'st me not, for love thou say'st
Leads up to Heav'n, is both the way and guide;
Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask;

590

595

600

605

610

Love not the heav'nly Spi'rits, and how their love 615 Express they, by looks only', or do they mix

Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?

To whom the Angel with a smile that glow'd Celestial rosy red, love's proper hue,

620

Answer'd. Let it suffice thee that thou know'st
Us happy', and without love no happiness.
'Whatever pure thou in the body enjoy'st
(And pure thou wert created) we enjoy
In eminence, and obstacle find none

Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars,
Easier than air with air, if Spirits embrace,
Total they mix, union of pure with pure
Desiring; nor restrain'd conveyance need
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul.
But I can now no more; the parting sun

625

630

Beyond the earth's green Cape and verdant Isles

Hesperian sets, my signal to depart.

Be strong, live happy', and love, but first of all

Him whom to love is to obey, and keep

His great command; take heed lest passion sway 635

Thy judgment to do ought, which else free-will
Would not admit: thine and of all thy sons

The weal or woe in thee is plac'd; beware.

I in thy persevering shall rejoice,

And all the blest: stand fast; to stand or fall

640

Free in thine own arbitrement it lies.
Perfect within, no outward aid require;
And all temptation to transgress repel.

So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus
Follow'd with benediction. Since to part,
Go heav'nly Guest, ethereal Messenger,

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Sent from whose sov'reign goodness I adore.

Gentle to me, and affable hath been

Thy condescension, and shall be honour'd ever

With grateful memory: thou to mankind

650

Be good and friendly still, and oft return.

So parted they, the Angel up to Heaven From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower.

THE END OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.

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