Chapter 11 10

Where to th Almighty answer, not displeasd. A nice and suttle happiness I see Thou to myself propose, in the choice [ 400 ] Of thy Associates, Adam, and wilt taste No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitarie. What thinkt thou then of mee, and this my State, Seem I to thee sufficiently possest Of happiness, or not? who am alone [ 405 ] From all Eternity, for none I know Second to mee or like, equal much less. How have I then with whom to hold converse Save with the Creatures which I made, and those To me inferior, infinite descents [ 410 ] Beneath what other Creatures are to thee?

He ceasd, I lowly answer. To attaine The high and depth of thy Eternal ways All human thoughts come short, Supream of things; Thou in thy self art perfet, and in thee [ 415 ] Is no deficiency found; not so is Man, But in degree, the cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help, Or solace his defects. No need that thou Shouldst propagat, already infinite; [ 420 ] And through all numbers absolute, though One; But Man by number is to manifest His single imperfection, and beget Like of his like, his Image multiplid, In unite defective, which requires [ 425 ]

Collateral love, and deerest amitie. Thou in thy secresie although alone, Best with thy self accompanied, seekst not Social communication, yet so pleasant, Canst raise thy Creature to what hight thou wilt [ 430 ] Of Union or Communion, deifid; I by conversing cannot these erect From prone, nor in thir ways complacence find. Thus I emboldnd spake, and freedom usd Permissive, and acceptance found, which gained [ 435 ] This answer is from the grateful voice Divine.