THE FIRST LOVE OF ADAM AND EVE

from Paradise Lost

by: John Milton (1608-1674)

HUS talking, hand in hand alone they passed

On to their blissful bower. It was a place

Chosen by the sov'reign Planter, when he framed

All things to Man's delightful use; the roof

Of thickest covert was inwoven shade,

Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew

Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side

Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub,

Fenced up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower,

Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine,

Rear'd high their flourished heads between, and wrought

Mosaic; under foot the violet,

Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay

Broidered the ground, more coloured than the stone

Of costliest emblem: Other creature here,

Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none;

Such was their awe of Man. In shadier bower

More sacred and sequestered, though but feigned

Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor nymph,

Nor Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess,

With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs,

Espousèd Eve decked first her nuptial bed

And heavenly quires the hymenean sung,

What day the genial Angel to our sire

Brought her, in naked beauty more adorned,

More lovely than Pandora, whom the Gods

Endowed with all their gifts, and, O! too like

In sad event, when to the unwiser son

Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnared

Mankind with her fair looks, to be avenged

On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.

Thus at their shady lodge arrived, both stood,

Both turned, and under open sky adored

The God that made both sky, air, earth and heaven

Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe,

And starry pole: "Thou also madest the night,

Maker Omnipotent; and thou the day,

Which we in our appointed work employed,

Have finished, happy in our mutual help

And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss

Ordained by thee; and this delicious place,

For us too large, where thy abundance wants

Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.

But thou hast promised from us two a race

To fill the earth, who shall with us extol

They goodness infinite, both when we wake

And when we seek, as now, the gift of sleep."

 

This said unanimous, and other rites

Observing none, but adoration pure

Which God likes best, into their inmost bower

Handed they went; and eased the putting off

Those troublesome disguises which we wear,

Straight side by side were laid; nor turned, I ween,

Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites

Mysterious of connubial love refused:

Whatever hypocrites austerely talk

Of purity, and place, and innocence,

Defaming as impure what God declares

Pure, and commands to some, 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

Of human offspring, sole propriety

In Paradise, of all things common else!

By thee adult'rous love was driven 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, son, and brother, first were known.

Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame,

Or think the unbefitting holiest place

Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets,

Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced,

Present or past, as saints and patriarchs used!

Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights

His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings,

Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile

Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendeared,

Casual fruition: nor in court amours

Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,

Or serenade, which the starved lover sings

To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.

These lulled by nightingales embracing slept,

And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof

Showered roses, which the morn repaired. Sleep on,

Blest pair! and, O! yet happiest if ye seek

No happier state, and know to know no more!

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