"And from that time see,
How beauty is excell'd by manly grace,
And wisdom, which alone is truly fair."
So spoke our general mother, and with eyes
Of conjugal attraction unreproved,
And meek surrender, half-embracing lean'd
On our first father; half her swelling breast
Naked met his, under the flowing gold
Of his loose tresses hid; he in delight
Both of her beauty and submissive charms
Smiled with superior love....
And press'd her matron lip
With kisses pure.
(Liv. IV.)
Fair consort, the hour
Of night and all things now retired to rest
Mind us of like repose; since God hath set
Labour and rest, as day and night, to men
Successive; and the timely dew of sleep,
Now falling with soft slumbrous weight, inclines
Our eyelids. Other creatures all day long
Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest.
Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed, which declares his dignity
And the regard of Heaven on all his ways,
While other animals inactive range,
And of their doings God takes no account.
(Ibid.)
[508]: Impossible qu'un homme si docte, si raisonneur, s'emploie pour toute occupation à jardiner, à arranger des bouquets.
Know that in the soul
Are many lesser faculties, that serve
Reason as chief; among these Fancy next
Her office holds; of all external things,
Which the five watchful senses represent,
She forms imaginations, aery shapes,
Which Reason joining or disjoining, frames
All what we affirm or we deny, and call
Our knowledge and opinion....
Oft in her absence, mimic Fancy wakes
To imitate her; but, misjoining shapes,
Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams,
Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.
Yet be not sad.
Evil into the mind of God or man
May come and go, so unapproved, and leave
No spot or blame behind.
(Liv. V.)