She gathers, tribute large, and on the board 345 From many a berry', and from sweet kernels press'd She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold Wants her fit vessels pure, then strews the ground With rose and odours from the shrub unfum’d. MEANWHILE our primitive great sire, to meet 350 His God-like guest, walks forth, without more train Accompanied than with his own complete Perfections : in himself was all his state, More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits On princes, when their rich retinue long 355 Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold, Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. Nearer his presence Adam though not aw'd, Yes with submiss approach and reverence meek, As to' a superior nature, bowing low, Thus said. Native of Heav'n, for other place None can than Heav'n such glorious shape contain; Since by descending from the thrones above, Those happy places thou hast deign'd awhile To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us 365 'Two' only, who yet by sov'reign gift possess This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower To rest, and what the garden choicest bears To sit and taste, till this meridian heat Be over and the sun more cool decline. 370 Whom thus th' angelic Virtue answer'd mild. Adam, I therefore came, nor art thou such 360 Created, or such place hast here to dwell, 380 Hail Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons, Than with these various fruits the trees of God 390 Hlave heap'd this table. Rais'd of grassy turf Their table was, and mossy seats had round, And on her ample square from side to side All autumn pild, though spring and autumn here Danc'd hand in hand. A while discourse they hold; No fear lest dinner cool; when thus began Our author. Heav'nly stranger, please to taste These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom All perfect good, unmeasur'd out, descends, To us for food and for delight hath caus'd 400 The earth to yield; unsavoury food perhaps To spiritual natures; only this I know, 396 That one celestial Father gives to all. 410 415 The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea, 425 430 Varied his bounty so with new delights, As may compare with Heaven ; and to taste 420 Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, 440 450 'Thus when with meats and drinks they had suffic'd, Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose In Adam, not to let th' occasion pass Giv'n him by this great conference to know Of things above his world, and of their being 455 Who dwell in Heav'n, whose excellence he saw Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms Divine effulgence, whose high pow'r so far Exceeded human, and his wary speech Thus to th' empyreal minister he fram'd. INHABITANT with God, now know I well 'Thy favour, in this honour done to Man, 460 470 Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsaf'd 465 As that more willingly thou couldst not seem At Heav'n's high feasts to have fed: yet what compare? To whom the winged Hierarch reply'd. O Adam, one Almighty is, from whom All things proceed, and up to him return, If not deprav'd from good, created all Such to perfection, one first matter all, Endued with various forms, various degrees Of substance, and in things that live, of life; But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure, 475 As nearer to him plac'd or nearer tending Each in their several active spheres assign'd, Till body up co spirit work, in bounds Proportion’d to each kind. So from the root Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves More airy, last the bright consummate flower 481 Spirits odorous breathes : flow'rs and their fruit, Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublim'd, To vital spi'rits aspire, to animal, To intellectual; give both life and sense, 485 Fancy and understanding ; whence the soul Reason receives, and reason is her being, Discursive, or intuitive ; discourse Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours, Differing but in degree, of kind the same. Wonder not then, what God for you saw good If I refuse not, but convert, as you, 490 |
