Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... Mis liesh, his bone; to give thee being, I lent Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, Substantial life, to have thee by my side, Henceforth an individual solace dear: Part of my soul, I seek thee, and thee claim My other half ! "--With that thy gentle hand Seized mine; I yielded, and from that time see How beauty is excelled by manly grace And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. So spake our general mother. iv 449 Major rerum mihi nascitur ordo. Vieg. sEn. vii. 43. A larger scene of action is displayed. Dryden. We were told in the foregoing book how the evil spirit practised upon Eve as she lay asleep, in order to inspire her with thoughts of vanity, pride, and ambition. The author, who shows a wonderful art throughout his whole poem, in preparing the reader for the several occurrences that arise in it, founds upon the abovementioned circumstance the first part of the Fifth Book. Adam, upon his awaking, finds Eve still asleep, with an unusual discomposure in her looks. The posture in which he regards her is described with a tenderness not to be expressed, as the whisper with which he awakens her is the softest that ever was conveyed to a lover's But. His wonder was, to find unwakened Eve With tresses discomposed, and glowing check, As through unquiet rest; he, on his side Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love Hung over her enamoured, and beheld Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, Shot forth peculiar graces: then, with voice Mild as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, Her hand soft touching, whispered thus: "Awake My fairest, my espoused, my latest found, Heaven's last best gift, my ever new delight! Awake: the morning shines, and the fresh field Calls us; we lose the prime, to mark how spring Our tended plants, how blows...