第9章 8
If this be our condition, thus to dwell
In narrow circuit straitnd by a Foe,
Suttle or violent, we not endud
Single with like defence, wherever met, [ 325 ]
How are we happie, still in fear of harm?
But harm precedes not sin: onely our Foe
Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem
Of our integritie: his foul esteeme
Sticks no dishonor on our Front, but turns [ 330 ]
Foul on himself; then wherefore shund or feard
By us? who rather double honour gaine
From his surmise provd false, find peace within,
Favour from Heavn, our witness from th event.
And what is Faith, Love, Vertue unassaid [ 335 ]
Alone, without exterior help sustaind?
Let us not then suspect our happie State
Left so imperfet by the Maker wise,
As not secure to single or combind.
Fraile is our happiness, if this be so, [ 340 ]
And Eden were no Eden thus exposd.
To whom thus Adam fervently replid.
O Woman, best are all things as the will
Of God ordaind them, his creating hand
Nothing imperfet or deficient left [ 345 ]
Of all that he Created, much less Man,
Or aught that might his happie State secure,
Secure from outward force; within himself
The danger lies, yet lies within his power:
Against his will he can receave no harme. [ 350 ]
But God left free the Will, for what obeyes
Reason, is free, and Reason he made right
But bid her well beware, and still erect,
Least by some faire appeering good surprisd
She dictate false, and misinforme the Will [ 355 ]
To do what God expresly hath forbid,
Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes,
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me.