BOOK IV. PARADISE LOST. Stood whifp'ring fOft, by a heal fountain fide They fat them down ; and after no more toil Of their fweet gard'ning labour than fuffic'd To recommend cool Zephyr, and made eafe More eafie, wholfome thirft and appetite 330. More grateful, to their fupper-fruits they fell, Nectarine fruits ! -which the compliant boughs Yielded them, fidelong as they fat recline On the loft downy bank damask'd with flow'rs. The favoury pulp they chew, and in the rind 335 Still as they thirfled fcoop the brimming flream ; Nor gentle purpole, nor endearing finites Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as befeems Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, Alone as, they. About them frisking plaid - 340 All beafts of th' earth, fince wild,, and of all chafe In wood or wildernefs, forefl or den Sporting the lion rainp'd, and in his paw Dandled the kid ; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, Gambol'd before them, ih' unwieldly elephant 345 Tomake them mirth us'd all his might, and wreath'd His lithe probofcis: clote the ferpent fly infinuating, wove with Gordian,. twine His braided train, and of his fatal guile Gave proof unheaded : others out the grafs 350- Couch'd, and now fihl'd with palture gazing fat, Or bedward ruminating for'the fun Declin'd was hafting now with prone career th' ocean ales, and in th' aicending (cal* heav'n the flats that tither evening role : 355 When Satan [till in gaze, as firft he flood, Scarce thus at length faii'd fpeech recover'd fad. 0 Hell, what do mine eyes with grief behold I Into our room of blifs thus high advanc'd Creatures of other mold ; earth-born perhaps, 360 99 No
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