Women, when nothing else, beguil'd the heart And made him bow to the Gods of his wives. 170 To whom quick answer Satan thus return'd :: 175. 1809 Have we not feen, or by relation heard, Or Amymone, Syrinx, many more Too long, then lay'dit thy fcapes on names ador'd, 190 Satyr, or Fawn, or Silvan? Bnt thefe haunts Delight not all; among the Sons of Men, Of beauty and her lures, eafily fcorn'd How many have with a fmile made fmall account All her affaults, on worthier things intent? Of honour, wealth, high fare, aim'd not beyond. But he whom we attempt is wifer far 195. 200 205 Made Made and fet wholly on th' accomplishment Of greatest things; what Woman will Or turn to rev'rent awe? for Beauty stands 210 215 220 Led captive; ceafe t' admire, and all her Plumes At every fudden flighting quite abasht: Therefore with manlier objects we must try And now I know he hungers where no food No advantage, and his ftrength as oft affy. 225 230 He ceas'd, and heard their grant in loud acclaim: 235 Then forthwith to him takes a chofen band ·Of Spirits likeft to himself in guile To be at hand, and at his beck appear, 240 Now hungring firft, and to himself thus faid. Where 246 Where will this end? four times ten days I've pafs'd Wandring this woody Maze, and human food Nor tafted, nor had appetite; that Faft To Virtue I impute not, or count part Of what I fuffer here; if Nature need not, Or God fupport Nature without repaft Though needing, what praise is it to endure? But now I feel I hunger, which declares Nature hath need of what she asks; yet God Can fatisfie that need fome other way, Tho' hunger ftill remain: fo it remain $250 255 Without this body's wafting, I content me, Nor mind it, fed with better thoughts that feed It was the hour of night, when thus the Son Commun'd in filent walk, then laid him down Under the hofpitable covert nigh 260 Of trees thick interwoven; there he slept And dream'd, as appetite is wont to dream, Of meats and drinks, Nature's refreshment sweet s 265 He thought, he by the Brook of Cherith stood And faw the Ravens with their horny beaks Food to Elijah bringing even and morn, Tho' rav'nous, taught t'abitain from what they brought : He faw the Prophet also how he fled 270 Into the Defart, and how there he slept Under a Juniper; then how awak'd, Or as a guest with Daniel at his Pulse, Thus wore out night, and now the Herald Lark The morn's approach, and greet her with his Song + ; As lightly from his graffie couch up rofe -285 290 Nature's own work it seem'd (Nature taught Art 295 Of Wood-Gods and Wood-Nymphs; he view'd it round, When fuddenly a man before him ftood, (Not ruftic as before, but feemlier clad, As one in City, or Court, or Palace bred) 300 And with fair speech these words to him address'd. With granted leave officious I return, But much more wonder that the Son of God In this wild folitude fo long thould bide, 305 30 Of Ifrael here had famifh'd, had not God Rain'd from Heav'n Manna, and that Prophet bold Native of Thebes wandring here was fed Twice by a voice inviting him to eat ; Of thee thefe forty days none hath regard, 315 Forty and more deferted here indeed. To whom thus Jefus: What conclud'st thou hence? They all had need, I as thou feeft have none. € How How haft thou hunger then? Satan reply'd; 320 325 330 Would fcruple that, with want oppreft? Behold Nature afham'd, or, better to exprefs, Troubl'd that thou fhould't hunger; hath purvey'd From all the Elements her choiceft store To treat thee as. befeems, and as her Lord, 335 With honour, only deign to fit and eat. He fpake no dream; for as his words had end, Our Saviour lifting up his eyes, beheld In ample space under the broadeft fhade 340 345 360 That fragrant fmell diffus'd, in order ftood Than Ganymed or Hylas; distant more Under the Trees now tripp'd, now folemn flood Nymphs of Diana's train, and Naiades 355 With |