Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/323

Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm.
Was I to have never parted from thy side?
As good have grown there still a lifeless rib.
Being as I am, why didst not thou, the head,
Command me absolutely not to go?
Going into such danger, as then saidst.
Too facile then, thou didst not much gainsay,
Say, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss.
Hadst thou been firm and fixed in thy dissent, 1160
Neither had I transgressed, nor thou with me."
To whom, then first incensed, Adam replied:
"Is this the love? is this the recompense
Of mine to thee, in grateful Eve, expressed
Immutable when thou wert lost, not I?
Who might have lived, and joyed immortal bliss,
Yet willingly chose rather death with thee.
And am I now upbraided as the cause
Of thy transgressing? not enough severe,
It seems, in thy restraint. What could I more? 1170
I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold
The danger, and the lurking enemy
That lay in wait; beyond this had been force,
And force upon free will hath here no place.
But confidence then bore thee on, secure
Hither to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps
I also erred, in overmuch admiring
What seemed in thee so perfect, that I thought