Chapter 8 7
Lament not Eve, but patiently resigned
What just thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,
Thus over-fond, on that which is not thin;
Thy going is not lonely, with thee goes [ 290 ]
Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;
Where he bides, think there thy native soil.
Adam by this from the cold sudden damp
Recovering, and his scattered spirits return,
To Michael thus his humble words addressd. [ 295 ]
Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or namd
Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem
Prince above Princes, gently hast thou would
Thy message, which might else in telling wound,
And in performing end us; what besides [ 300 ]
Of sorrow and rejection and despair
Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,
Departure from this happy place, our sweet
Recess, and only consolation left
Familiar to our eyes, all places else [ 305 ]
Inhospitable appeer and desolate,
Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer
Incessant I could hope to change the will
Of him who all things can, I would not cease
To wearie him with my assiduous cries: [ 310 ]
But pray against his absolute Decree
No more avails then breath against the winde,
Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:
Therefore to his great bidding I submit.
This most afflicts me, that departing henceforth, [ 315 ]
As from his face I shall be hid, deprived
His blessed countnance; here I could frequent,
With worship, place by place where he voutsafd
Presence Divine, and to my Sons relate;
On this Mount he appeer, under this Tree [ 320 ]
Stood visible, among these Pines his voice
I heard, here with him at this Fountain talkd:
So many grateful Altars I would reare
Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone
Of luster from the brook, in memorie, [ 325 ]
Or monument to Ages, and thereon
Offer sweet smelling Gumms and Fruits and Flours:
In yonder nether World where shall I seek
His bright appearances, or foot step-trace?