The Evolution of Morality. 207 



supposed more primitive in its history or intui 

 tive in its nature. The views and sentiments en 

 tertained by all Christian nations toward it are 

 expressed at once, with accuracy of delineation 

 and nobility of style, in a fine apostrophe in the 

 fourth book of Milton s &quot; Paradise Lost : &quot; 



&quot; Hail, wedded love, mysterious law, true source 

 Of human offspring, sole propriety 

 In Paradise of all things common else ! 

 By thee adulterous lust was driven from men 

 Among the &quot;bestial herds to range ; by thee, 

 Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 

 Relations dear, and all the charities 

 Of father, son, and brother, first were known. 

 Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame, 

 Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, 

 Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 

 Whose bed is undefiled and chaste pronounced, 

 Present or past, as saints and patriarchs used. 

 Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights - 

 His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, 

 Keigns here and revels ; not in the bought smile 

 Of harlots loveless, joyless, unendeared, 

 Casual fruition. &quot; 



In this sublime passage are voiced assumptions 

 that were universal in Milton s time and all but 

 universal to-day. It is implied that in the begin 

 nings of human life, while everything else was 

 common, women were already individually appro 

 priated by men, or, in other words, that mo- 



