Adam, well may we labour still to dress [ 205 ]
This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flour,
Our pleasant task enjoynd, but till more hands
Aid us, the work under our labrows,
Luxurious by restraint; what we by day
Lop rown, or prune, or prop, or bind, [ 210 ]
One night or two with wanton growth derides
Tending to wilde. Thou therefore now advise
Or hear what to my minde first thoughts present,
Let us divide our labours, thou where choice
Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind [ 215 ]
The Woodbine round this Arbour, or direct
The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I
In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt
With Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon:
For while so near each other thus all day [ 220 ]
Our taske we choose, what wonder if so near
Looks intervene and smiles, or objeew
Casual discourse draw on, whitermits
Our dayes work brought to little, though begun
Early, and th hour of Supper es unearnd. [ 225 ]
To whom mild answer Adam thus returnd.
Sole Eve, Associate sole, to me beyond
pare above all living Creatures deare,
Well hast thou motiond, well thy thoughts imployd
How we might best fulfill the work which here [ 230 ]
God hath assignd us, nor of me shalt pass
Unpraisd: for nothing lovelier be found
In Woman, then to studie houshold good,
And good workes in her Husband to promote.
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposd [ 235 ]
Labour, as to debarr us when we need
Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,
Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse
Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow,
To brute denid, and are of Love the food, [ 240 ]
Love not the lowest end of human life.
For not to irksom toile, but to delight
He made us, and delight to Reason joynd.