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So Adam, and thus Eve to him replid. [ 960 ]

O glorious trial of exceeding Love,

Illustrious evidence, example high!

Ingaging me to emulate, but short

Of thy perfection, how shall I attaine,

Adam, from whose deare side I boast me sprung, [ 965 ]

And gladly of our Union heare thee speak,

One Heart, one Soul in both; whereof good prooff

This day affords, declaring thee resolvd,

Rather then Death or aught then Death more dread

Shall separate us, linkt in Love so deare, [ 970 ]

To undergoe with mee one Guilt, one Crime,

If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit,

Whose vertue, for of good still good proceeds,

Direct, or by occasion hath presented

This happie trial of thy Love, which else [ 975 ]

So eminently never had bin known.

Were it I thought Death menact would ensue

This my attempt, I would sustain alone

The worst, and not perswade thee, rather die

Deserted, then oblige thee with a fact [ 980 ]

Pernicious to thy Peace, chiefly assurd

Remarkably so late of thy so true,

So faithful Love unequald; but I feel

Farr otherwise th event, not Death, but Life

Augmented, opnd Eyes, new Hopes, new Joyes, [ 985 ]

Taste so Divine, that what of sweet before

Hath toucht my sense, flat seems to this, and harsh.

On my experience, Adam, freely taste,

And fear of Death deliver to the Windes.

So saying, she embracd him, and for joy [ 990 ]

Tenderly wept, much won that he his Love

Had so enobld, as of choice to incurr

Divine displeasure for her sake, or Death.

In recompence (for such compliance bad

Such recompence best merits) from the bough [ 995 ]

She gave him of that fair enticing Fruit

With liberal hand: he scrupld not to eat

Against his better knowledge, not deceavd,

But fondly overcome with Femal charm.