_Adam._ Cheat not yourself with dreams of deity; Too well, but yet too late, your crime I see: Nor think the fruit your knowledge does improve; But you have beauty still, and I have love. Not cozened, I with choice my life resign: Imprudence was your fault, but love was mine. [_Takes the fruit and eats it._ _Eve._ O wondrous power of matchless love exprest! [_Embracing him._ Why was this trial thine, of loving best? I envy thee that lot; and could it be, Would venture something more than death for thee. Not that I fear, that death the event can prove; Ware both immortal, while so well we love. _Adam._ Whate'er shall be the event, the lot is cast; Where appetites are given, what sin to taste? Or if a sin, 'tis but by precept such; The offence so small, the punishment's too much. To seek so soon his new-made world's decay: Nor we, nor that, were fashioned for a day. _Eve._ Give to the winds thy fear of death, or ill; And think us made but for each other's will. _Adam._ I will, at least, defer that anxious thought, And death, by fear, shall not be nigher brought: If he will come, let us to joys make haste; Then let him seize us when our pleasure's past. We'll take up all before; and death shall find We have drained life, and left a void behind. [_Exeunt._ _Enter_ LUCIFER. _Lucif._ 'Tis done: Sick Nature, at that instant, trembled round; And mother Earth sighed, as she felt the wound. Of how short durance was this new-made state! How far more mighty than heaven's love, hell's hate! His project ruined, and his king of clay: He formed an empire for his foe to sway. Heaven let him rule, which by his arms he got; I'm pleased to have obtained the second lot. This earth is mine; whose lord I made my thrall: Annexing to my crown his conquered ball. Loosed from the lakes my regions I will lead, And o'er the darkened air black banners spread: Contagious damps, from hence, shall mount above, And force him to his inmost heaven's remove. [_A clap of thunder is heard._ He hears already, and I boast too soon; I dread that engine which secured his throne. I'll dive below his wrath, into the deep, And waste that empire, which I cannot keep. [_Sinks down._ RAPHAEL _and_ GABRIEL _descend._ _Raph._ As much of grief as happiness admits In heaven, on each celestial forehead sits: Kindness for man, and pity for his fate, May mix with bliss, and yet not violate. Their heavenly harps a lower strain began; And, in soft music, mourned the fall of man. _Gab._ I saw the angelic guards from earth ascend, (Grieved they must now no longer man attend:) The beams about their temples dimly shone; One would have thought the crime had been their own. The etherial people flocked for news in haste, Whom they, with down-cast looks, and scarce saluting past: While each did, in his pensive breast, prepare A sad account of their successless care.