_Raph._ The Eternal yet, in majesty severe, And strictest justice, did mild pity bear: Their deaths deferred; and banishment, (their doom,) In penitence foreseen, leaves mercy room. _Gab._ That message is thy charge: Mine leads me hence; Placed at the garden's gate, for its defence, Lest man, returning, the blest place pollute, And 'scape from death, by life's immortal fruit. [_Another clap of thunder. Exeunt severally._ _Enter_ ADAM _and_ EVE, _affrighted._ _Adam._ In what dark cavern shall I hide my head? Where seek retreat, now innocence is fled? Safe in that guard, I durst even hell defy; Without it, tremble now, when heaven is nigh. _Eve._ What shall we do? or where direct our flight? Eastward, as far as I could cast my sight, From opening heavens, I saw descending light. Its glittering through the trees I still behold; The cedar tops seem all to burn with gold. _Adam._ Some shape divine, whose beams I cannot bear! Would I were hid, where light could not appear. Deep into some thick covert would I run, Impenetrable to the stars or sun, And fenced from day, by night's eternal skreen; Unknown to heaven, and to myself unseen. _Eve._ In vain: What hope to shun his piercing sight, Who from dark chaos struck the sparks of light? _Adam._ These should have been your thoughts, when, parting hence, You trusted to your guideless innocence. See now the effects of your own wilful mind: Guilt walks before us; death pursues behind. So fatal 'twas to seek temptations out: Most confidence has still most cause to doubt. _Eve._ Such might have been thy hap, alone assailed; And so, together, might we both have failed. Cursed vassalage of all my future kind! First idolized, till love's hot fire be o'er, Then slaves to those who courted us before. _Adam._ I counselled you to stay; your pride refused: By your own lawless will you stand accused. _Eve._ Have you that privilege of only wise, And would you yield to her you so despise? You should have shown the authority you boast, And, sovereign-like, my headlong will have crost: Counsel was not enough to sway my heart; An absolute restraint had been your part. _Adam._ Even such returns do they deserve to find, When force is lawful, who are fondly kind. Unlike my love; for when thy guilt I knew, I shared the curse which did that crime pursue. Hard fate of love! which rigour did forbear, And now 'tis taxed, because 'twas not severe. _Eve._ You have yourself your kindness overpaid; He ceases to oblige, who can upbraid. _Adam._ On women's virtue, who too much rely, To boundless will give boundless liberty. Restraint you will not brook; but think it hard Your prudence is not trusted as your guard: And, to yourselves so left, if ill ensues, You first our weak indulgence will accuse. Curst be that hour, When, sated with my single happiness, I chose a partner, to controul my bliss! Who wants that reason which her will should sway, And knows but just enough to disobey.