第11章 10

Oft he to her his charge of quick returne Repeated, shee to him as oft engagd [ 400 ] To be returnd by Noon amid the Bowre, And all things in best order to invite Noontide repast, or Afternoons repose. O much deceavd, much failing, hapless Eve, Of thy presumd return! event perverse! [ 405 ] Thou never from that houre in Paradise

Foundst either sweet repast, or sound repose; Such ambush hid among sweet Flours and Shades Waited with hellish rancour imminent To intercept thy way, or send thee back [ 410 ] Despoild of Innocence, of Faith, of Bliss. For now, and since first break of dawne the Fiend, Meer Serpent in appearance, forth was come,

And on his Quest, where likeliest he might finde The onely two of Mankinde, but in them [ 415 ] The whole included Race, his purposd prey. In Bowre and Field he sought, where any tuft Of Grove or Garden-Plot more pleasant lay, Thir tendance or Plantation for delight, By Fountain or by shadie Rivulet [ 420 ]

He sought them both, but wishd his hap might find Eve separate, he wishd, but not with hope Of what so seldom chancd, when to his wish, Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies, Veild in a Cloud of Fragrance, where she stood, [ 425 ] Half spid, so thick the Roses bushing round About her glowd, oft stooping to support

Each Flour of slender stalk, whose head though gay Carnation, Purple, Azure, or spect with Gold, Hung drooping unsustaind, them she upstaies [ 430 ] Gently with Mirtle band, mindless the while, Her self, though fairest unsupported Flour, From her best prop so farr, and storm so nigh. Neerer he drew, and many a walk traversd

Of stateliest Covert, Cedar, Pine, or Palme, [ 435 ] Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen Among thick-wovn Arborets and Flours Imborderd on each Bank, the hand of Eve: Spot more delicious then those Gardens feignd Or of revivd Adonis, or renownd [ 440 ] Alcinous, host of old Laertes Son,

Or that, not Mystic, where the Sapient King Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian Spouse. Much hee the Place admird, the Person more.