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She scarse had said, though brief, when now more bold

The Tempter, but with shew of Zeale and Love [ 665 ]

To Man, and indignation at his wrong,

New part puts on, and as to passion movd,

Fluctuats disturbd, yet comely and in act

Raisd, as of som great matter to begin.

As when of old som Orator renound [ 670 ]

In Athens or free Rome, where Eloquence

Flourishd, since mute, to som great cause addrest,

Stood in himself collected, while each part,

Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue,

Somtimes in highth began, as no delay [ 675 ]

Of Preface brooking through his Zeal of Right.

So standing, moving, or to highth upgrown

The Tempter all impassiond thus began.

O Sacred, Wise, and Wisdom-giving Plant,

Mother of Science, Now I feel thy Power [ 680 ]

Within me cleere, not onely to discerne

Things in thir Causes, but to trace the wayes

Of highest Agents, deemd however wise.

Queen of this Universe, doe not believe

Those rigid threats of Death; ye shall not Die: [ 685 ]

How should ye? by the Fruit? it gives you Life

To Knowledge, By the Threatner, look on mee,

Mee who have touchd and tasted, yet both live,

And life more perfet have attaind then Fate

Meant mee, by ventring higher then my Lot. [ 690 ]

Shall that be shut to Man, which to the Beast

Is open? or will God incense his ire

For such a petty Trespass, and not praise

Rather your dauntless vertue, whom the pain

Of Death denounct, whatever thing Death be, [ 695 ]

Deterrd not from atchieving what might leade

To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil;

Of good, how just? of evil, if what is evil

Be real, why not known, since easier shunnd?

God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just; [ 700 ]

Not just, not God; not feard then, nor obeyd:

Your feare it self of Death removes the feare.