Thursday, 23 June 2016

Adam Accepts the Forbidden Fruit from Eve's Hands

{Dalliance: sex}

"But that false Fruit   
Far other operation first displayed,   
Carnal desire inflaming. He on Eve   
Began to cast lascivious eyes; she him   
As wantonly repaid; in lust they burn,
Till Adam thus ’gan Eve to dalliance move:—   
  “Eve, now I see thou art exact of taste   
And elegant—of sapience no small part;   
Since to each meaning savour we apply,   
And palate call judicious. I the praise
Yield thee; so well this day thou hast purveyed.   
Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstained   
From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now   
True relish, tasting. If such pleasure be   
In things to us forbidden, it might be wished           
For this one Tree had been forbidden ten.   
But come; so well refreshed, now let us play,   
As meet is, after such delicious fare;   
For never did thy beauty, since the day   
I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorned           
With all perfections, so enflame my sense   
With ardour to enjoy thee, fairer now   
Than ever-bounty of this virtuous Tree!”   
  So said he, and forbore not glance or toy   
Of amorous intent, well understood   
Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire.   
Her hand he seized, and to a shady bank,   
Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowered,   
He led her..."


 From Paradise Lost, by John Milton