P A R A D I S E L O S T , B O O K 1 / 1 9 0 3

To fill the earth, who shall with us extol

Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,

735

And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep."

This said unanimous, and other rites

Observing none, but adoration pure

Which God likes best,' into their inmost bow'r

Handed

0

they went; and eased

0

the putting off

hand in hand / spared

740 These troublesome disguises which we wear,

Straight side by side were laid, nor turned I ween" surmise

Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites

Mysterious

6

of connubial love refused:

Whatever hypocrites austerely talk

745

Of purity and place and innocence,

Defaming as impure what God declares

Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all.

Our Maker bids increase,

7

who bids abstain

But our destroyer, foe to God and man?

750 Hail wedded Love, mysterious law, true source

Of human offspring, sole propriety

0

private property

In Paradise of all things common else.

By thee adulterous lust was driv'n from men

Among the bestial herds to range, by thee

755

Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure,

Relations dear, and all the charities

0

loves

Of father, son, and brother first were known.

Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,

Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,

760 Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets,

Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced,

Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs used.

8

Here Love his golden shafts employs,

9

here lights

His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings,

765 Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile

Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendeared,

Casual fruition, nor in court amours,

Mixed dance, or wanton masque, or midnight ball,

Or serenade, which the starved

0

lover sings

deprived

770 To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.

These lulled by nightingales embracing slept,

And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof

Show'red roses, which the morn repaired.

0

Sleep on,

replaced

Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek

775

No happier state, and know to know no more.

1

Now had night measured with her shadowy cone

Halfway up hill this vast sublunar vault,

2

5. Like many Puritans, Milton objected to set

forms of prayer, so Adam and Eve pray spontane-

ously (therefore sincerely), but also, paradoxically,

together. Their prayer develops variations on

Psalm 104.20-24.

6. Ephesians 5.32 calls the union of man and

woman a "mystery" paralleling that of Christ and

the church.

7. Genesis 1.28: "Be fruitful and multiply, and

replenish the earth."

8. Throughout history ("present or past"), Old and

New Testament worthies have "used" matrimony

as a noble estate.

9. The "golden shafts" (arrows) of Cupid produce

true love, his lead-tipped arrows, hate.

1. Know enough to be content with what you

know.

2. The conical shadow cast by the earth has moved

halfway up to its zenith, so it is 9 p.m., the end of

the first three-hour watch.

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