These paths & Bowers doubt not but our joynt hands
Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide [ 245 ]
As we need walk, till younger hands ere long
Assist us: But if much verse perhaps
Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield.
For solitude somtimes is best societie,
And short retirement urges sweet returne. [ 250 ]
But other doubt possesses me, least harm
Befall thee severd from me; for thou knowst
What hath bin warnd us, what malicious Foe
Envying our happiness, and of his own
Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame [ 255 ]
By sly assault; and somwhere nigh at hand
Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find
His wish a advantage, us asunder,
Hopeless to circumvent us joynd, where each
To other speedie aide might lend at need; [ 260 ]
Whether his first desigo withdraw
Our fealtie from God, or to disturb
jugal Love, then which perhaps no bliss
Enjoyd by us excites his envie more;
Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side [ 265 ]
That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.
The Wife, where danger or dishonour lurks,
Safest and seemliest by her Husband staies,
Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.
To whom the Virgin Majestie of Eve, [ 270 ]
As one who loves, and some unkindness meets,
With sweet austeer posure thus replyd,
of Heavn ah, and all Earths Lord,
That su Enemie we have, who seeks
Our ruin, both by thee informd I learne, [ 275 ]
And from the parting Angel over-heard
As in a shadie nook I stood behind,
Just theurnd at shut of Evening Flours.
But that thou shouldst my firmherfore doubt
To God or thee, because we have a foe [ 280 ]
May tempt it, I expected not to hear.