84) ADAM AND EVE. 



words are very nearly equal in value and since the precise worth 

 of any given number of words way be ascertained by a system of 

 average ; so I will venture to say that there will be as much sense 

 and poetry in your volumes as in any others with which I may be 

 acquainted the size of all being equal. 



And now, God be with ye, my young friends farewell, my jolly 

 young poetasters, and if you want a subject that will never wear out, 

 or it had been worn out long ago take " Satan." From horns to 

 hoof you may find materials in him for a perfect epic, and his tail 

 will furnish an exciting episode. Vale, vale, my ingenuous youths ; 

 and once more I tell you, if you desire to write a fine poem to go 

 to the devil. 



ADAM AND EVE; 



A PARAPHRASE, FROM MILTON. 



FORTH from their bower on the first Sabbath morn, 

 Adam and Eve, parents of all mankind, 

 Came smiling, hand-in-hand ; and pray'r, heaven-born, 

 Trembled upon their lips, and low inclined 

 They pour'd their orisons with sinless mind, 

 Then stood erect in native honour drest, 

 God-like erect in naked beauty shrin'd; 

 Divinity is on their brows imprest, 

 And conscious lords of the whole earth, they stood confess'd. 



Adam of sterner shape and loftier size, 

 Eve graceful, slender as the drooping flower ; 

 Adam with strength for deeds of high emprise, 

 Eve gentle as the fawn that flies the shower ; 

 Attractive grace and softness were her dower 

 While Adam's fair large front, and eye sublime, 

 Declared his deeper thoughts, and mightier power ; 

 Serene he stood in manhood's early prime, 

 Lord of his graceful mate, and king of that fair clime. 



Soft were Eve's eyes they told of gentle sway, 

 Of coy submission, and of modest pride, 

 And sweet reluctant amorous delay 

 Meekly she stood, half resting on his side, 

 A blushing woman, and a gladsome bride ; 

 Nothing was hidden, for no guilty shame, 

 Offspring of foul dishonour, lustful pride, 

 Had made them fear to show the sacred flame 

 That sparkled in their eyes, and quivered in their frame. 



Honour, dishonourable ! shame, sin-bred ! 

 How have ye plagued mankind ; and seeming pure, 

 Banish'd simplicity ; and in its stead 

 Seduced man's erring mind with rites impure ! 

 Adam and Eve, in naked strength secure, 

 Nor shunning eye of angel or of God, 

 Pass'd slowly on, nor sought the shade obscure 

 Thinking no shame or ill, they freely trod 

 The enamel'd greensward, and, divinely pure, 

 They watch'd the opening flowers, or pluck'd the fruit mature. 



