And Eve within, due at her hour prepared For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please 303 Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream, Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold Risen on mid-noon; some great behest from Heaven 311 To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe This day to be our guest. But go with speed, And, what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour Our heavenly stranger: Well we may afford 320 To whom thus Eve. Adam, earth's hallowed mould, Of God inspired! small store will serve, where store, Save what by frugal storing firmness gains But I will haste, and from each bough and brake, 328 Beholding shall confess, that here on Earth Mean while our primitive great sire, to meet Perfections; in himself was all his state, 329 337 346 More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits 354 |