Chapter 6 5

Adam, well may we labor still to dress [ 205 ] This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour, Our pleasant task enjoy, but till more hands Aid us, the work under our labor grows, Luxurious by restraint; what we by day Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, [ 210 ] One night or two with wanton growth derides Tending to wilde. Thou therefore now advise Or hear what to my minde first thoughts present, Let us divide our labors, thou where choice Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind [ 215 ] The Woodbine round this Arbour, or direct The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I

In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt With Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon: For while so near each other thus all day [ 220 ] Our task we choose, what wonder if so near Looks intervene and smiles, or object new Casual discourse draw on, which intermits Our days work brought to little, though began Early, and th hour of Supper comes unearnd. [ 225 ] To whom mild answer Adam thus returned. Sole Eve, Associate sole, to me beyond Compare above all living Creatures deare, Well hast thou motiond, well thy thoughts employed How we might best fulfill the work which here [ 230 ]

God hath assign us, nor of me shalt pass Unpraisd: for nothing lovelier can be found In Woman, then to study houshold good, And good works in her Husband to promote. Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposd [ 235 ] Labor, as to debarr us when we need Refreshment, whether food, or talk between, Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow, To brute denid, and are of Love the food, [ 240 ] Love not the lowest end of human life. For not to irksom toile, but to delight He made us, and delight to Reason joynd.