T was a place IT Chosen by the sovran Planter, when he framed All things to Man's delightful use. The roof Fenced up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower, Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought Mosaic; under-foot the violet, Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none; Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess, Paradise Lost, Book IV. THE HEN was not guilty shame, dishonest shame Of Nature's works, honour dishonourable, Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind With shews instead, mere shews of seeming pure, And banish'd from man's life his happiest life, Simplicity and spotless innocence ! SHE PARADISE LOST, Book IV. HE fair, divinely fair, fit love for Gods, Not terrible, though terror be in love And beauty, not approach'd by stronger hate. PARADISE LOST, Book IX. ABASH'D the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely. PARADISE LOST, Book IV. So hand in hand they pass'd, the loveliest pair That ever since in love's embraces met: Adam the goodliest man of men since born His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve. Under a tuft of shade that on a green Stood whispering soft, by a fresh fountain side, They sat them down; and after no more toil Of their sweet gardening labour than sufficed To recommend cool Zephyr, and made ease More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite More grateful, to their supper-fruits they fell, Nectarine fruits, which the compliant boughs Yielded them, sidelong as they sat recline On the soft downy bank damask'd with flowers. PARADISE LOST, Book IV. TWO WO of far nobler shape, erect and tall, And worthy seem'd; for in their looks divine PARADISE LOST, Book IV. ABOUT them frisking play'd All beasts of the earth, since wild, and of all chase In wood or wilderness, forest or den. Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, His braided train, and of his fatal guile Paradise Lost, Book IV. |