26

But let us now, as in bad plight, devise

What best may for the present serve to hide

The Parts of each from other, that seem most

To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen,

Some Tree whose broad smooth Leaves together sowd, [ 1095 ]

And girded on our loyns, may cover round

Those middle parts, that this new commer, Shame,

There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.

So counseld hee, and both together went

Into the thickest Wood, there soon they chose [ 1100 ]

The Figtree, not that kind for Fruit renownd,

But such as at this day to Indians known

In Malabar or Decan spreds her Armes

Braunching so broad and long, that in the ground

The bended Twigs take root, and Daughters grow [ 1105 ]

About the Mother Tree, a Pillard shade

High overarcht, and echoing Walks between;

There oft the Indian Herdsman shunning heate

Shelters in coole, and tends his pasturing Herds

At Loopholes cut through thickest shade: Those Leaves [ 1110 ]

They gatherd, broad as Amazonian Targe,

And with what skill they had, together sowd,

To gird thir waste, vain Covering if to hide

Thir guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike

To that first naked Glorie. Such of late [ 1115 ]

Columbus found th American so girt

With featherd Cincture, naked else and wilde

Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores.

Thus fenct, and as they thought, thir shame in part

Coverd, but not at rest or ease of Mind, [ 1120 ]

They sate them down to weep, nor onely Teares

Raind at thir Eyes, but high Winds worse within

Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate,

Mistrust, Suspicion, Discord, and shook sore

Thir inward State of Mind, calm Region once [ 1125 ]

And full of Peace, now tost and turbulent:

For Understanding ruld not, and the Will

Heard not her lore, both in subjection now

To sensual Appetite, who from beneathe

Usurping over sovran Reason claimd [ 1130 ]

Superior sway: From thus distemperd brest,

Adam, estrangd in look and alterd stile,

Speech intermitted thus to Eve renewd.