24

No more be mentiond then of violence

Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,

That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely

Rancor and pride, impatience and despite,

Reluctance against God and his just yoke [ 1045 ]

Laid on our Necks. Remember with what mild

And gracious temper he both heard and judgd

Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected

Immediate dissolution, which we thought

Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee [ 1050 ]

Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold,

And bringing forth, soon recompenct with joy,

Fruit of thy Womb: On mee the Curse aslope

Glancd on the ground, with labour I must earne

My bread; what harm? Idleness had bin worse; [ 1055 ]

My labour will sustain me; and least Cold

Or Heat should injure us, his timely care

Hath unbesaught provided, and his hands

Cloathd us unworthie, pitying while he judgd;

How much more, if we pray him, will his ear [ 1060 ]

Be open, and his heart to pitie incline,

And teach us further by what means to shun

Th inclement Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow,

Which now the Skie with various Face begins

To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds [ 1065 ]

Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks

Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek

Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish

Our Limbs benummd, ere this diurnal Starr

Leave cold the Night, how we his gatherd beams [ 1070 ]

Reflected, may with matter sere foment,

Or by collision of two bodies grinde

The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds

Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock

Tine the slant Lightning, whose thwart flame drivn down [ 1075 ]

Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine,

And sends a comfortable heat from farr,

Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use,

And what may else be remedie or cure

To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, [ 1080 ]

Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace

Beseeching him, so as we need not fear

To pass commodiously this life, sustaind

By him with many comforts, till we end

In dust, our final rest and native home. [ 1085 ]

What better can we do, then to the place

Repairing where he judgd us, prostrate fall

Before him reverent, and there confess

Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears

Watering the ground, and with our sighs the Air [ 1090 ]

Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign

Of sorrow unfeignd, and humiliation meek.

Undoubtedly he will relent and turn

From his displeasure; in whose look serene,

When angry most he seemd and most severe, [ 1095 ]

What else but favor, grace, and mercie shon?

So spake our Father penitent, nor Eve

Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place

Repairing where he judgd them prostrate fell

Before him reverent, and both confessd [ 1100 ]

Humbly thir faults, and pardon begd, with tears

Watering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air

Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign

Of sorrow unfeignd, and humiliation meek.

The End of the Tenth Book.