Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/315

Us his prime creatures, dignified so high, 940
Set over all his works, which, in our fall,
For us created, needs with us must fail,
Dependent made; so God shall uncreate,
Be frustrate, do, undo, and labor lose;
Not well conceived of God, who, though his power
Creation could repeat, yet would be loth
Us to abolish, lest the Adversary
Triumph and say: 'Fickle their state whom God
Most favors; who can please him long? Me first
He ruined, now mankind; whom will he next?' 950
Matter of scorn, not to be given the Foe.—
However I with thee have fixed my lot,
Certain to undergo like doom; if death
Consort with thee, death is to me as life:
So forcible within my heart I feel
The bond of Nature draw me to my own;
My own in thee, for what thou art is mine.
Our state cannot be severed; we are one,
One flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself."
So Adam, and thus Eve to him replied: 960
"O glorious trial of exceeding love,
Illustrious evidence, example high!
Engaging me to emulate; but, short
Of thy perfection, how shall I attain?
Adam! from whose dear side I boast me sprung
And gladly of our union hear thee speak,
One heart, one soul in both; whereof good proof