No more be mentiond then of violence
Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,
That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely
Rancor and pride, impatiend despite,
Reluce against God and his just yoke [ 1045 ]
Laid on our Necks. Remember with what mild
And gracious temper he both heard and judgd
Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected
Immediate dissolution, which we thought
Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee [ 1050 ]
Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold,
And bringing forth, soon repenct with joy,
Fruit of thy Womb: Ohe Curse aslope
Glan the ground, with labour I must earne
My bread; what harm? Idleness had bin worse; [ 1055 ]
My labour will sustain me; a Cold
Or Heat should injure us, his timely care
Hath unbesaught provided, and his hands
Cloathd us unworthie, pitying while he judgd;
How much more, if we pray him, will his ear [ 1060 ]
Be open, and his heart to pitie ine,
And teach us further by what means to shun
Th i Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow,
Whiow the Skie with various Face begins
To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds [ 1065 ]
Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks
Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek
Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish
Our Limbs benummd, ere this diurnal Starr
Leave cold the Night, how we his gatherd beams [ 1070 ]
Reflected, may with matter sere foment,
Or by collision of two bodies grinde
The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds
Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock
Tihe slant Lightning, whose thwart flame drivn down [ 1075 ]
Kihe gummie bark of Firr or Pine,
And sends a fortable heat from farr,
Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use,
And what may else be remedie or cure
To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, [ 1080 ]
Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace
Beseeg him, so as we need not fear
To pass odiously this life, sustaind
By him with many forts, till we end
In dust, our final rest and native home. [ 1085 ]
What better we do, then to the place
Repairing where he judgd us, prostrate fall
Before him reverent, and there fess
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Watering the ground, and with hs the Air [ 1090 ]
Frequenting, sent from hearts trite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeignd, and humiliation meek.
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn
From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
When angry most he seemd and most severe, [ 1095 ]
What else but favrace, and mercie shon?
So spake our Father pe, nor Eve
Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
Repairing where he judgd them prostrate fell
Before him reverent, and both fessd [ 1100 ]
Humbly thir faults, and pardon begd, with tears
Watering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air
Frequenting, sent from hearts trite, in sign
Of sorrow unfeignd, and humiliation meek.
The End of the Tenth Book.