Chapter 7 6

These paths & Bowers doubt not but our joynt hands Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide [ 245 ] As we need walk, till younger hands ere long Assist us: But if much converse perhaps Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield. For solitude somtimes is best society, And short retirement urges sweet return. [ 250 ] But other doubt possesses me, least harm Befall thee severd from me; for thou knowst What hath bin warn us, what malicious Foe Envying our happiness, and of his own Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame [ 255 ] By sly assault; and somwhere night at hand

Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find His wish and best advantage, us as under, Hopeless to circumvent us joynd, where each To other speedie aide might lend at need; [ 260 ] Whether his first design be to withdraw Our fealtie from God, or to disturb Conjugal Love, then which perhaps no bliss Enjoyed by us excites his envie more; Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side [ 265 ] That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies, Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.

To whom the Virgin Majestie of Eve, [ 270 ] As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, With sweet austeer composure thus replied, Ofspring of Heavn and Earth, and all Earths Lord, That such an Enemie we have, who seeks Our ruin, both by thee informed I learne, [ 275 ] And from the parting Angel over-heard As in a shadie nook I stood behind, Just then return at shut of Evening Flours. But that thou shouldst my firmness then doubt To God or thee, because we have a foe [ 280 ] May tempt it, I expected not to hear.