Chapter 7 6
The Birds thir require apply; aires, vernal aires,
Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune [ 265 ]
The trembling leaves, while Universal Pan
Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance
Led on th Eternal Spring. Not that faire field
Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flours
Her self a fairer Floure by glomie Dis [ 270 ]
Was gathered, which cost Ceres all that pain
To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove
Of Daphne by Orontes, and th inspired
Castalian Spring, might with this Paradise
Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian Ile [275]
Girt with the River Triton, where old Cham,
Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Lybian Jove,
Hid Amalthea and her Florida Son
Young Bacchus from his Stepdame Rheas eye;
Nor where Abassin Kings thir issue Guard, [ 280 ]
Mount Amara, though this by som supposd
True Paradise under the Ethiopian Line
By Nilus head, enclosed with shining Rock,
A whole days journey high, but wide remote
From this Assyrian Garden, where the Fiend [ 285 ]
Saw undelighted all delight, all kind
Of living Creatures new to sight and strange:
Two of far nobler shape erect and tall,
Godlike erect, with native Honor clad
In naked Majestie seemed Lords of all, [ 290 ]
And worthie seemsd, for in thir looks Divine
The image of thir glorious Maker shon,
Truth, wisdom, Sanctitude severe and pure,
Severe but in true filial freedom pact;
Whence true autority in men; though both [ 295 ]
Not equal, as thir sex not equal seemsd;
For contemplation hee and valor formd,
For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,
Hee for God only, shee for God in him:
His fair large Front and Eye sublime declare [ 300 ]
Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin Locks
Round from his parted forelock manly hung
Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:
Shee as a vail down to the slender waste
Her unadorned golden tresses wore [ 305 ]
Disheveld, but in wanton ringlets wavd
As the Vine curls her tendrils, which implids
Subjection, but require with gentle sway,
And by her yielded, by him best received,
Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, [ 310 ]
And sweet reluctant amorous delay.