Memory of heaven on earth, Which thou mayst do by feeding on such fruit. For that's the seat of beauty; Since thou art partly man, and partly brute, 'Tis just thou dwell on earth; The world was made for various beasts to dwell in, He added, nor canst thou esteem it hard, Serpent and man, to dwell on earth for ever, Since thou already in thy human portion Forming my banquet of this savoury fruit, By the intelligence, through me transfused From this delicious viand. Eve. Alas! what should I do? to whom apply? My heart, what is thy counsel ? Serpent. 'Tis true, thy sovereign has imposed upon thee, Under the pain of death, To taste not of this fruit; And to secure from thee A dainty so delightful, The watchful guard he made me Of this forbidden tree; So that if I consent, both man and thou, His beautiful companion, May rise to equal God in happiness. In food and beverage with savage beasts, Works of a mighty Maker, Great offspring of great God, Should in a base condition, Among these groves and woods, Eve. Ah! why art thou so eager That I should taste of this forbidden food? Serpent. Now lend thine ear, now arch Not for thy good alone, I wish to make thee Silence while thou shalt seize the fruit denied. That ever like a snake I trail behind; And then, because he should to me alone Have given this world, and o'er the numerous beasts O'er all these living things, While man is doomed To breathe on vital air, Must seem but low and servile vassalage; Since man, and only man Was chosen high and mighty lord of all This wondrous scene, and he thus raised to grandeur Was newly formed of nought. But when the fairest of all Eden's fruits Is snatched and tasted, when you rise to Gods, 'Tis just that both ascending from this world, Should reach the higher spheres: So that on earth to make me Of every creature lord, Of human error I my virtue make: Know, that command is grateful even to God, Eve. I yield obedience, ah! what is't I do? Eve. Alas, how I perceive A chilling tremour wander through my bones, Serpent. It is thy mortal part that now begins In excellence ascends. More lovely and more rich Than if it raised to heaven branches of gold, That gives enjoyment of a state divine! It takes new colours from the solar rays, Bright as the splendid train Of the gay peacock, when he whirls it round Full in the sun, and lights his thousand eyes! 'Tis all delicious, it is sweetness all; Its charms are not deceitful, Thine eye can view them well. Now take it! Now I watch e? If any angel spy thee! Dost thou pause i Eve. At length behoid me the exalted mistress Of this most lovely fruit ! But why, alas, does my cold brow distil Serpent. Lovely Virgin, Supreme felicity is bought with pain? These drops of keener pain? Who dissipate the dread that loads my heart? Eve. Tell me what wouldst thou? tell me who afflicts thee? Serpent. The terror of thy Lord; and hence I pray thee? That when thou hast enjoyed That sweet forbidden fruit, When both of you become eternal gods, That you would guard me from the wrath of heaven; Since well indeed may he, Whom we call God, kindle his wrath against me Having to you imparted Taste of this fruit against his high command. But tell him, my desire To make me lord of this inferior world, Like man a god in heaven, Rendered me mute while Eve attained the apple. Eve. The gift I owe thee, Serpent, well deserves That I should ne'er forget thee. Serpent. Now in these verdant leaves I hide myself Till thou with sounds of joy Shalt call and re-assure me. Eve. Now then conceal thyself, I promise thee To be thy shield against the wrath of God. O what delicious odour! 'tis so sweet That I can well believ That all the lovely flowers From this derive their fragrance. These dewy leaves to my conception seem Ah, it was surely right That fruit so exquisite Should flourish to impart new life to man, Not waste its sweets upon the wind and sun. To man could spring from God's creative hand : Such warmth of love unbounded, I will taste it. Surpassing all the fruits of every kind, But where is Adam now? Oh, Adam! Adam! Adam to taste its sweets, And so from man be made a mighty God. Serpent. Extinguish in the waves thy rays, O sun! No more distribute life! Thus Lucifer ordains, and thus the apple! Man, man is now subdued! Vain Glory. O joyous day! O day To Hell of triumph, and of shame to Heaven! And now contrives that man may taste it too. Life is exchanged for death! Now I exulting sing, And hence depart with pride, Since man's high boast is crushed, And his bright day now turned to hideous night! ACT. III. SCENE I.-ADAM and EVE. Oн, my beloved companion! Oh thou of my existence, The very heart and soul ! Hast thou, with such excess of tender haste, With ceaseless pilgrimage, To find again thy Adam, Thus solitary wandered? Behold him! Speak! what are thy gentle orders? Eve. Adam, my best beloved! My guardian and my guide! Thou source of all my comfort, all my joy! Thee, thee alone I wish, And in these pleasing shades Thee only have I sought. Adam. Since thou hast called thy Adam, (Most beautiful companion), The source and happy fountain of thy joy ; Eve, if to walk with me It now may please thee, I will show thee love, A sight thou hast not seen; A sight so lovely, that in wonder thou Wilt arch thy graceful brow. Look thou, my gentle bride, towards that path, Where sit the birds embowered; Just there, where now, with soft and snowy plumes, A living stream, that with a winding course Hence to new Music of the eternal Lyre O Thou who ere the World or Heaven was made, ACT I. SCENE I.-GOD THE FATHER—Chorus of Angel RAISE from this dark abyss thy horrid visage, Read in the sacred volumes of the sky, The mighty wonders of a hand divine. How easy is the task, To the great Sire of Worlds, To raise his empyrean seat sublime : Lifting humility Thither whence pride hath fallen. From thence with bitter grief, Inhabitant of fire, and mole of darkness, Let the perverse behold, Despairing his escape and my compassion, His own perdition in another's good, And Heaven now closed to him, to others opened; And sighing from the bottom of his heart, Let him in homage to my power exclaim, Ah, this creative Sire, (Wretch as I am) I see, Hath need of nothing but himself alone To re-establish all. THE SERAPHIM SING. O scene worth heavenly musing, With sun and moon their glorious light diffusing; Where to angelic voices, Sphere circling sphere rejoices, How dost thou rise, exciting |