From Auran eastward to the roval towers 



Of great Seleueia, built by Grecian kings, 



Or Avhere the sons of Eden long before 



Dwelt in Telassar : in this pleasant soil 



His far more pleasant garden God ordained ; 



Out of the fertile ground he caused to grow 



All trees of noblest kind, for sight, smell, taste ; 



And all amid them stood the tree of Life, 



High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit 



Of vegetable gold ; and next to life, 



Our death, the tree of Knowledge, grew fast by, 



Knowledge of good, bought dear by knowing ill. 



Southward through Eden went a river large, 



Nor changed his course, but through the shaggy hill 



Passed underneath engulfed ; for God had thrown 



That mountain as his garden mould high raised 



Upon the rapid current, which, through veins 



Of porous earth with kindly thirst up-drawn, 



Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 



W? f c7-ed the garden ; . . . 



Thus was this place, 

 A happy rural seat of various view ; 

 Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and 



balm, 



Others whose fruit, burnished with golden rind, 

 Hung amiable (Hesperian fables true, 

 If true, here only), and of delicious taste : 

 Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 

 Grazing the tender herb, were interposed, 

 Or palmy hillock, or the flowery lap 

 Of some irriguous valley spread her store, 

 Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose. 



