But I had all mankind’s applause,
And all the smiles of womankind.
There were two cherub-things beside,
A gracious girl, a glorious boy;
Yet more to swell my full-blown pride,
To varnish higher my fading joy,
Pleasures were ours without alloy,
Nay, Paradise, - till my frail Eve
Our bliss was tempted to destroy -
Deceived and fated to deceive.