The Poetical Works of John Milton


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in the Morning go forth to thir labours, which Eve proposes to divide in  
several places, each labouring apart: Adam consents not, alledging the  
danger, lest that Enemy, of whom they were forewarn'd, should attempt  
her found alone: Eve loath to be thought not circumspect or firm enough,  
urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make tryal of her  
strength; Adam at last yields: The Serpent finds her alone; his subtle  
approach, first gazing, then speaking with much flattery extolling Eve  
above all other Creatures. Eve wondring to hear the Serpent speak, asks  
how he attain'd to human speech and such understanding not till now; the  
Serpent answers, that by tasting of a certain Tree in the Garden he  
attain'd both to Speech and Reason, till then void of both: Eve requires  
him to bring her to that Tree, and finds it to be the Tree of Knowledge  
forbidden: The Serpent now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments  
induces her at length to eat; she pleas'd with the taste deliberates  
awhile whether to impart thereof to Adam or not, at last brings him of  
the Fruit, relates what persuaded her to eat thereof: Adam at first  
amaz'd, but perceiving her lost, resolves through vehemence of love to  
perish with her; and extenuating the trespass, eats also of the Fruit:  
The effects thereof in them both; they seek to cover thir nakedness;  
then fall to variance and accusation of one another.  
No more of talk where God or Angel Guest  
With Man, as with his Friend, familiar us'd  
To sit indulgent, and with him partake  
Rural repast, permitting him the while  
Venial discourse unblam'd: I now must change  
474  


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472 473 474 475 476

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