14

To satisfie the sharp desire I had

Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolvd [ 585 ]

Not to deferr; hunger and thirst at once,

Powerful perswaders, quicknd at the scent

Of that alluring fruit, urgd me so keene.

About the mossie Trunk I wound me soon,

For high from ground the branches would require [ 590 ]

Thy utmost reach or Adams: Round the Tree

All other Beasts that saw, with like desire

Longing and envying stood, but could not reach.

Amid the Tree now got, where plenty hung

Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill [ 595 ]

I spard not, for such pleasure till that hour

At Feed or Fountain never had I found.

Sated at length, ere long I might perceave

Strange alteration in me, to degree

Of Reason in my inward Powers, and Speech [ 600 ]

Wanted not long, though to this shape retaind.

Thenceforth to Speculations high or deep

I turnd my thoughts, and with capacious mind

Considerd all things visible in Heavn,

Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good; [ 605 ]

But all that fair and good in thy Divine

Semblance, and in thy Beauties heavnly Ray

United I beheld; no Fair to thine

Equivalent or second, which compeld

Mee thus, though importune perhaps, to come [ 610 ]

And gaze, and worship thee of right declard

Sovran of Creatures, universal Dame.

So talkd the spirited sly Snake; and Eve

Yet more amazd unwarie thus replyd.

Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt [ 615 ]

The vertue of that Fruit, in thee first provd:

But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far?

For many are the Trees of God that grow

In Paradise, and various, yet unknown

To us, in such abundance lies our choice, [ 620 ]

As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht,

Still hanging incorruptible, till men

Grow up to thir provision, and more hands

Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth.

To whom the wilie Adder, blithe and glad. [ 625 ]