BooKIX. PARADISE ,LOS T. 245 Tempting fo nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 595 1 fpar'd not ; for Inch pleafure till that hour At feed, or fountain, never had I found. Sated at length, e'er-long I might perceive Strange alteration in me, to degree Of reaton in try inward pow'rs ; and fpeech boo Wanted not long; though to this fhape retain'd. Thenceforth to tpeculations high, or deep, I turn'd my thoughts ; and with capacious mind Confidet'd all things vifible in heav'n, Or earth, or middle; all things fair, and good : 6o5 But all that fair, and good, in thy divine Semblance, and in thy beauty's heav'nly ray, Thited I beheld : no fair to thine Equivalent, or fecond ! which cornpell'd Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come 6 to And gaze, and worfhip Thee, of right declar'd Sov'reign of creatures, univertal dame ! So talk'd the fpirited fly fnake : and Eve, Yet more amaz'd, unwary thus reply'd. Serpent I thy over-praifing leaves in doubt 615 The virtue of that fruit, in thee firti prov'd. But fay, where grows the tree, from hence how far ? For many are the trees of God that grow In Paradife, and various yet unknown To us, in fuch abundance lyes our choice, 62o As leaves a greater (tore of fruit untouch'd Still hanging incorruptible, till men Grow up to their provifion, and more hands Help to difburden nature of her birth. To whom the wily adder, blithe and glad. 625 Emprefs ! the way is ready, and not long ; Beyond
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