Empress,thewayisreadie,andnotlong,

    BeyondarowofMyrtles,onaFlat,

    FastbyaFountain,onesmallThicketpast

    OfblowingMyrrhandBalme;ifthouaccept

    Myduct,Ibrihithersoon.[630]

    Leadthen,saidEve.Heeleadingswiftlyrowld

    Intangles,andmadeintricateseemstrait,

    Tomischiefswift.Hopeelevates,andjoy

    BrightnshisCrest,aswhenawandringFire

    pactofunctuousvapor,whichtheNight[635]

    denses,andthecoldinvironsround,

    KindldthroughagitationtoaFlame,

    Whichoft,theysay,someevilSpiritattends

    HandblazingwithdelusiveLight,

    MisleadsthamazdNight-wandererfromhisway[640]

    ToBoggsandMires,andoftthroughPondorPoole,

    Thereswallowdupandlost,fromsuccourfarr.

    SoglisterdthedireSnake,andintofraud

    LedEveourcredulousMother,totheTree

    Ofprohibition,rootofallourwoe;[645]

    Whichwhenshesaw,thustuideshespake.

    Serpent,wemighthavespardouringhither,

    Fruitlesstomee,thoughFruitbeheretoexcess,

    Thecreditofwhosevertuerestwiththee,

    Wondrousindeed,ifcauseofsucheffects.[650]

    ButofthisTreewemaynottastenortouch;

    Godsoanded,ahatand

    SoleDaughterofhisvoice;therest,welive

    Lawtoourselves,ourReasonisourLaw.

    TowhomtheTempterguilefullyreplid.[655]

    Indeed?hathGodthensaidthatoftheFruit

    OfalltheseGardenTreesyeshalle,

    YetLordsdeclardofallihorAire?

    TowhomthusEveyetsinless.OftheFruit

    OfeachTreeintheGardenwemayeate,[660]

    B