665 670 Those have their course to finish, round the earth, praise : 661 Those] “ These” is Tonson's and Newton’s alteration. Milton's reading is . Those.' 877 walk the earth] The same expression occurs in P. J.. vii. 477. Creep the ground.' Cicero de Finibus, ii. c. 34. • Maria ambulavisset.' See Wakef. Lucret. ï. v. 206. While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk, With heav'nly touch of instrumental sounds 680 In full harmonic number join'd, their songs Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to heaven. Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass'd On to their blissful bower; it was'a place 690 Chosen by the sov'reign planter, when he fram'd All things to man's delightful use: the roof Of thickest covert was inwoven shade, Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side 695 Acanthus and each odorous bushy shrub Fenc'd up the verdant wall, each beauteous flow'r, Iris all hues, roses, and jessamin Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, and wrought Mosaic; under foot the violet, Crocus, and hyacinth with rich inlay Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone Of costliest emblem: other creature here, Beast, bird, insect, or worm, durst enter none; Such was their awe of man. In shadier bower 706 More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign’d, Pan or Sylvanus never slept; nor nymph, 700 688 Divide] Sil. Ital. vii. 154. • Cum buccina noctem Richardson. 703 emblem] Inlay. “Arte pavimenti, atque emblemati ver. miculato. Bentley. 705 shadier) shadie, 2nd ed. 710 715 Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess Thus at their shady lodge arriv'd, both' stood, 725 719 authentic fire] Or him who stole from Jove narthecal fire.' Bentl. MS. 723 moon) Virg. Æn. vi. 725.' Lucentemque globum lune. Hume. 740 l'hy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep. 735 This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure Which God likes best, into their inmost bower Handed they went; and, eas'd the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear, Straight side by side were laid; nor turn'd, I ween, Adam from his fair spouse; nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and man? Hail wedded love, mysterious law, true source 750 Of human offspring, sole propriety In paradise of all things common else. By thee adulterous lust was driv’n from men Among the bestial herds to range; by thee 745 750 Hail wedded love] Mr. Dyce compares Middleton • • Reverend and honourable matrimony, The Phænir, 1607. Sig. 1) 4. 755 Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth issuing at th' accustom'd hour stood arm'd To their night watches in warlike parade, When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake. Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south 778 ivory] Ov. Met. iv. 185. *Lemnius extemplo valvas patefecit eburnas. Newton. 770 780 6 |