Chapter 5 4

But whether thus these things, or whether not, Whether the Sun dominant in Heavn [ 160 ] Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun, Hee from the East his flaming rode begin, Or Shee from West her silent course advance With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft Axle, while she paces Eevn, [ 165 ] And bears thee soft with the smooth Air along, Sollicit not thy thoughts with matters hid, Leave them to God above, him serve and fear; Of other Creatures, as he pleases best, Wherever plact, let him dispose: joy thou [ 170 ] In what he gives to thee, this Paradise

And thy faire Eve; Heavn is for thee too high To know what passes there; be lowlie wise: Think only what concerns thee and thy being; Dream not of other Worlds, what Creatures there [ 175 ] Live, in what state, condition or degree, Contented that thus farr hath been revealed Not of Earth only but of highest Heavn. To whom thus Adam cleerd of doubt, replied. How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure [ 180 ] Intelligence of Heavn, Angel serene, And freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way, nor with perplexing thoughts To interrupt the sweet of Life, from which

God hath bid dwell farr off all anxious cares, [ 185 ] And not the molest us, unless we our selves Seek them with wandring thoughts, and notions vain. But apt the Mind or Fancy is to roave Uncheckt, and of her roving is no end; Till warn, or by experience taught, she learne, [ 190 ] That not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and suttle, but to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime Wisdom, what is more, is fume, Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, [ 195 ] And renders us in things that most concern Unpractice, unprepard, and still to seek.