Mark what a pure vermilion blush has dy'd

Their swelling cheeks; and how for shame they hide
Their palsy heads, to see themselves stand by
Neglected: Woman, do but cast an eye.

What bounteous Heav'n ordain'd for use, refuse not :
Come, pull and eat: y' abuse the thing ye use not.
Eve. Wisest of beasts, our great Creator did
Reserve this tree, and this alone forbid;

The rest are freely ours, which doubtless are
As pleasing to the taste; to th' eye as fair :
But touching this, his strict commands are such,
'Tis death to taste, no less than death to touch.

Serp. Pish; death's a fable: did not Heav'n inspire Your equal elements with living fire,

Blown from the spring of life? Is not that breath
Immortal? Come; ye are as free from death
As he that made you. Can the flames expire
Which he has kindled? Can ye quench his fire?
Did not the great Creator's voice proclaim
Whate'er he made (from the blue spangled frame
To the poor leaf that trembles) very good?
Bless'd he not both the feeder and the food?
Tell, tell me, then, what danger can accrue
From such blest food, to such half gods as you?
Curb needless fears, and let no fond conceit
Abuse your freedom: woman, take and eat.
Eve. 'Tis true, we are immortal; death is yet
Unborn, and, till rebellion make it debt,
Undue ; I know the fruit is good, until
Presumptuous disobedience make it ill.
The lips that open to this fruit's a portal
To let in death, and make immortal mortal.

Serp. You cannot die; come, woman, taste, and fear not. Eve. Shall Eve transgress? I dare not, O I dare not. Serp. Afraid? Why draw'st thou back thy tim'rous

arm?

Harm only falls on such as fear a harm.

Heav'n knows and fears the virtue of this tree?
'Twill make you perfect gods as well as He,
Stretch forth thy hand, and let thy fondness never
Fear death: do, pull, and eat, and live for ever.
Eve. 'Tis but an apple; and it is as good
To do, as to desire. Fruit's made for food:
I'll pull, and taste, and tempt my Adam too
To know the secrets of this dainty.

S. CHRYS. sup. Matth.

Serp. Do.

He forced him not he touched him not only said, Cast thyself down; that we may know, that whosoever obeyeth the devil, casteth himself down: for the devil may suggest, compel he cannot.

S. BERN. in Ser.

It is the devil's part to suggest; ours, not to consent. As oft as we resist him, so often we overcome him: as often as we overcome him, so often we bring joy to the angels, and glory to God: who opposeth us, that we may contend; and assisteth us, that we may conquer.

EPIG. I.

Unlucky parliament! wherein, at last,
Both houses are agreed, and firmly past
An act of death confirm'd by higher powers;
had it had but such success as ours!

JAMES