9

To whom thus Eve replid. O thou for whom [ 440 ]

And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,

And without whom am to no end, my Guide

And Head, what thou hast said is just and right.

For wee to him indeed all praises owe,

And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy [ 445 ]

So farr the happier Lot, enjoying thee

Præeminent by so much odds, while thou

Like consort to thy self canst no where find.

That day I oft remember, when from sleep

I first awakt, and found my self reposd [ 450 ]

Under a shade of flours, much wondring where

And what I was, whence thither brought, and how.

Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound

Of waters issud from a Cave and spread

Into a liquid Plain, then stood unmovd [ 455 ]

Pure as th expanse of Heavn; I thither went

With unexperienct thought, and laid me downe

On the green bank, to look into the cleer

Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.

As I bent down to look, just opposite, [ 460 ]

A Shape within the watry gleam appeard

Bending to look on me, I started back,

It started back, but pleasd I soon returnd,

Pleasd it returnd as soon with answering looks

Of sympathie and love; there I had fixt [ 465 ]

Mine eyes till now, and pind with vain desire,

Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest,

What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self,

With thee it came and goes: but follow me,

And I will bring thee where no shadow staies [ 470 ]

Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces, hee

Whose image thou art, him thou shalt enjoy

Inseparablie thine, to him shalt beare

Multitudes like thy self, and thence be calld

Mother of human Race: what could I doe, [ 475 ]

But follow strait, invisibly thus led?

Till I espid thee, fair indeed and tall,

Under a Platan, yet methought less faire,

Less winning soft, less amiablie milde,

Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd, [ 480 ]

Thou following crydst aloud, Return faire Eve,

Whom flist thou? whom thou flist, of him thou art,

His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent

Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart

Substantial Life, to have thee by my side [ 485 ]

Henceforth an individual solace dear;

Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim

My other half: with that thy gentle hand

Seisd mine, I yielded, and from that time see

How beauty is excelld by manly grace [ 490 ]

And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.