正文 26

But let us now, as in bad plight, devise

What best may for the present serve to hide

The Parts of each from other, that seem most

To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen,

Some Tree whose broad smooth Leaves together sowd, [ 1095 ]

And girded on our loyns, may cover round

Those middle parts, that this new er, Shame,

There sit not, and reproach us as un.

So seld hee, and both together went

Into the thickest Wood, there soon they chose [ 1100 ]

The Figtree, not that kind for Fruit renownd,

But such as at this day to Indians known

In Malabar or De spreds her Armes

Braung so broad and long, that in the ground

The bewigs take root, and Daughters grow [ 1105 ]

About the Mother Tree, a Pillard shade

High overarcht, and eg Walks between;

There oft the Indian Herdsman shunnie

Shelters in coole, and tends his pasturing Herds

At Loopholes cut through thickest shade: Those Leaves [ 1110 ]

They gatherd, broad as Amazonian Targe,

And with what skill they had, together sowd,

To gird thir waste, vain C if to hide

Thir guilt and dreaded shame; O how unlike

To that first naked Glorie. Such of late [ 1115 ]

bus found th Ameri so girt

With featherd cture, naked else and wilde

Among the Trees on Iles and woodie Shores.

Thus fenct, and as they thought, thir shame in part

Coverd, but not at rest or ease of Mind, [ 1120 ]

They sate them down to weep, nor oeares

Raind at thir Eyes, but high Winds worse within

Began to rise, high Passions, Anger, Hate,

Mistrust, Suspi, Discord, and shook sore

Thir inward State of Mind, calm Region once [ 1125 ]

And full of Peaow tost and turbulent:

For Uanding ruld not, and the Will

Heard not her lore, both in subje now

To sensual Appetite, who from behe

Usurping over sovran Reason claimd [ 1130 ]

Superior sway: From thus distemperd brest,

Adam, estrangd in look and alterd stile,

Speetermitted thus to Eve renewd.

上一章目錄+書簽下一章