Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/375

Far other name deserving.—But the field
To labor calls us, now with sweat imposed,
Though after sleepless night; for see! the Morn,
All unconcerned with our unrest, begins
Her rosy progress smiling. Let us forth,
I never from thy side henceforth to stray,
Where'er our day's work lies, though now enjoined
Laborious, till day droop. While here we dwell
—What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks?—
Here let us live, though in fallen state, content."180
So spake, so wished much-humbled Eve, but Fate
Subscribed not. Nature first gave signs, impressed
On bird, beast, air; air suddenly eclipsed,
After short blush of morn. Nigh in her sight
The bird of Jove, stooped from his aery tour,
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove;
Down from a hill the beast that reigns in woods,
First hunter then, pursued a gentle brace,
Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind;
Direct to the eastern gate was bent their flight.190
Adam observed, and, with his eye the chase
Pursuing, not unmoved to Eve thus spake:
"O Eve, some further change awaits us nigh,
Which Heaven by these mute signs in Nature shews,
Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn