Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/303

To us, in such abundance lies our choice, 620
As leaves a greater store of fruit untouched,
Still hanging incorruptible, till men
Grow up to their provision, and mere hands
Help to disburden Nature of her birth."
To whom the wily Adder, blithe and glad:
"Empress, the way is ready, and not long;
Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat,
Fast by a fountain, one small thicket past
Of blowing myrrh and balm. If thou accept
My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon." 630
"Lead then," said Eve. He leading swiftly rolled
In tangles, and made intricate seem straight,
To mischief swift: hope elevates, and joy
Brightens his crest. As when a wandering fire,
Compact of unctuous vapor, which the night
Condenses, and the cold environs round,
Kindled through agitation to a flame
—Which oft, they say, some evil spirit attends—
Hovering and blazing with delusive light, 639
Misleads the amazed night-wanderer from his way,
To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool;
There swallowed up and lost, from succour far:
So glistered the dire Snake, and into fraud
Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the tree
Of prohibition, root of all our woe;