To satisfie the sharp desire I had
Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolvd [ 585 ]
Not to deferr; hunger and thirst at once,
Powerful perswaders, quid at the st
Of that alluring fruit, urgd me so keene.
About the mossie Trunk I wound me soon,
Fh from ground the branches would require [ 590 ]
Thy utmost reach or Adams: Round the Tree
All other Beasts that saw, with like desire
Longing and envying stood, but could not reach.
Amid the Tree now got, where plenty hung
Tempting so nigh, to plud eat my fill [ 595 ]
I spard not, for such pleasure till that hour
At Feed or Fountain never had I found.
Sated at length, ere long I might perceave
Straeration io degree
Of Reason in my inowers, and Speech [ 600 ]
Wanted not long, though to this shape retaind.
Theh to Speculations high or deep
I turnd my thoughts, and with capaind
siderd all things visible in Heavn,
Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good; [ 605 ]
But all that fair and good in thy Divine
Semblance, and in thy Beauties heavnly Ray
United I beheld; no Fair to thine
Equivalent or sed, whipeld
Mee thus, though importune perhaps, to e [ 610 ]
And gaze, and worship thee ht declard
Sovran of Creatures, universal Dame.
So talkd the spirited sly Snake; and Eve
Yet more amazd unwarie thus replyd.
Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt [ 615 ]
The vertue of that Fruit, in thee first provd:
But say, where grows the Tree, from hence how far?
For many are the Trees of God that grow
In Paradise, and various, yet unknown
To us, in such abundance lies our choice, [ 620 ]
As leaves a greater store of Fruit untoucht,
Still hanging incorruptible, till men
Grow up to thir provision, and more hands
Help to disburden Nature of her Bearth.
To whom the wilie Adder, blithe and glad. [ 625 ]