5

Adam, well may we labour still to dress [ 205 ]

This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour,

Our pleasant task enjoynd, but till more hands

Aid us, the work under our labour grows,

Luxurious by restraint; what we by day

Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, [ 210 ]

One night or two with wanton growth derides

Tending to wilde. Thou therefore now advise

Or hear what to my minde first thoughts present,

Let us divide our labours, thou where choice

Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind [ 215 ]

The Woodbine round this Arbour, or direct

The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I

In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt

With Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon:

For while so near each other thus all day [ 220 ]

Our taske we choose, what wonder if so near

Looks intervene and smiles, or object new

Casual discourse draw on, which intermits

Our dayes work brought to little, though begun

Early, and th hour of Supper comes unearnd. [ 225 ]

To whom mild answer Adam thus returnd.

Sole Eve, Associate sole, to me beyond

Compare above all living Creatures deare,

Well hast thou motiond, well thy thoughts imployd

How we might best fulfill the work which here [ 230 ]

God hath assignd us, nor of me shalt pass

Unpraisd: for nothing lovelier can be found

In Woman, then to studie houshold good,

And good workes in her Husband to promote.

Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposd [ 235 ]

Labour, as to debarr us when we need

Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,

Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse

Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow,

To brute denid, and are of Love the food, [ 240 ]

Love not the lowest end of human life.

For not to irksom toile, but to delight

He made us, and delight to Reason joynd.