6

These paths & Bowers doubt not but our joynt hands

Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide [ 245 ]

As we need walk, till younger hands ere long

Assist us: But if much converse perhaps

Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield.

For solitude somtimes is best societie,

And short retirement urges sweet returne. [ 250 ]

But other doubt possesses me, least harm

Befall thee severd from me; for thou knowst

What hath bin warnd us, what malicious Foe

Envying our happiness, and of his own

Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame [ 255 ]

By sly assault; and somwhere nigh at hand

Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find

His wish and best advantage, us asunder,

Hopeless to circumvent us joynd, where each

To other speedie aide might lend at need; [ 260 ]

Whether his first design be to withdraw

Our fealtie from God, or to disturb

Conjugal Love, then which perhaps no bliss

Enjoyd by us excites his envie more;

Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side [ 265 ]

That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.

The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,

Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies,

Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.

To whom the Virgin Majestie of Eve, [ 270 ]

As one who loves, and some unkindness meets,

With sweet austeer composure thus replyd,

Ofspring of Heavn and Earth, and all Earths Lord,

That such an Enemie we have, who seeks

Our ruin, both by thee informd I learne, [ 275 ]

And from the parting Angel over-heard

As in a shadie nook I stood behind,

Just then returnd at shut of Evening Flours.

But that thou shouldst my firmness therfore doubt

To God or thee, because we have a foe [ 280 ]

May tempt it, I expected not to hear.