Whereto th Almighty answerd, not displeasd.
A nid suttle happiness I see
Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice [ 400 ]
Of thy Associates, Adam, and wilt taste
No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitarie.
What thinkst thou then of mee, and this my State,
Seem I to thee suffitly possest
Of happiness, or not? who am alone [ 405 ]
From all Eternitie, for none I know
Sed to mee or like, equal much less.
How have I then with whom to hold verse
Save with the Creatures which I made, and those
To me inferiour, infinite dests [ 410 ]
Beh what other Creatures are to thee?
He ceasd, I lowly answerd. To attaine
The highth ah of thy Eternal wayes
All human thoughts e short, Supream of things;
Thou in thy self art perfet, and in thee [ 415 ]
Is no defice found; not so is Man,
But in degree, the cause of his desire
By versation with his like to help,
Or solace his defects. hat thou
Shouldst propagat, already infinite; [ 420 ]
And through all numbers absolute, though One;
But Man by number is to ma
His single imperfe, a
Like of his like, his Image multiplid,
In unitie defective, which requires [ 425 ]
Collateral love, and deerest amitie.
Thou in thy secresie although alone,
Best with thy self apanied, seekst not
Social unicatio so pleasd,
st raise thy Creature to what highth thou wilt [ 430 ]
Of Union or union, deifid;
I by versing ot these erect
From prone, nor in thir wayes place find.
Thus I emboldnd spake, and freedom usd
Permissive, and acceptance found, which gaind [ 435 ]
This answer from the gratious voice Divine.