Chapter 8 7

His violence thou fear not, being such, As wee, not capable of death or pain, Can either not receave, or can repell. His fraud is then thy fear, which plain inferrs [ 285 ] Thy equal fear that my firm Faith and Love Can by his fraud be shakn or seduct; Thoughts, which how found they harbor in thy brest Adam, misthought of her to thee so dear? To whom with healing words Adam replied. [ 290 ] Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve, For such thou art, from sin and blame entirely: Not different of thee do I dissuade Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid Th attempt itself, intended by our Foe. [295]

For hee who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonour foul, supposd Not incorruptible of Faith, not proven Against temptation: thou thy self with scorne And anger would resent the offer wrong, [ 300 ] Though ineffective found: misdeem not then, If such affront I labor to avert From thee alone, which on us both at once The Enemie, though bold, will hardly dare, Or daring, first on mee th assault shall light. [ 305 ] Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn; Suttle he needs must be, who could seduce Angels nor think superfluous others aid.

I from the influence of thy looks receive Access in every Vertue, in thy sight [ 310 ] More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome or over-reach Would most vigor raise, and raise unite. Why should not thou like sense within thee feel [ 315 ] When I am present, and thy trial choose With me, best witness of thy Vertue trid. So spake domestic Adam in his care And Matrimonial Love; but Eve, who thought Less attributed to her Faith sincerely, [ 320 ] Thus her reply with accent sweet renewed.