20

So saying, from the Tree her step she turnd,

But first low Reverence don, as to the power [ 835 ]

That dwelt within, whose presence had infusd

Into the plant sciential sap, derivd

From Nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while

Waiting desirous her return, had wove

Of choicest Flours a Garland to adorne [ 840 ]

Her Tresses, and her rural labours crown,

As Reapers oft are wont thir Harvest Queen.

Great joy he promisd to his thoughts, and new

Solace in her return, so long delayd;

Yet oft his heart, divine of somthing ill, [ 845 ]

Misgave him; hee the faultring measure felt;

And forth to meet her went, the way she took

That Morn when first they parted; by the Tree

Of Knowledge he must pass, there he her met,

Scarse from the Tree returning; in her hand [ 850 ]

A bough of fairest fruit that downie smild,

New gatherd, and ambrosial smell diffusd.

To him she hasted, in her face excuse

Came Prologue, and Apologie to prompt,

Which with bland words at will she thus addrest. [ 855 ]

Hast thou not wonderd, Adam, at my stay?

Thee I have misst, and thought it long, deprivd

Thy presence, agonie of love till now

Not felt, nor shall be twice, for never more

Mean I to trie, what rash untrid I sought, [ 860 ]

The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange

Hath bin the cause, and wonderful to heare:

This Tree is not as we are told, a Tree

Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown

Opning the way, but of Divine effect [ 865 ]

To open Eyes, and make them Gods who taste;

And hath bin tasted such: the Serpent wise,

Or not restraind as wee, or not obeying,

Hath eatn of the fruit, and is become,

Not dead, as we are threatnd, but thenceforth [ 870 ]

Endud with human voice and human sense,

Reasoning to admiration, and with mee

Perswasively hath so prevaild, that I

Have also tasted, and have also found

Th effects to correspond, opener mine Eyes [ 875 ]

Dimm erst, dilated Spirits, ampler Heart,

And growing up to Godhead; which for thee

Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise.