

56 ORIGIN OF SOCIETY. CANTO it. 



Round her fine form the dim transparence play'd, 

 And show'd the beauties, that it seem'd to shade. 150 

 Enamour'd ADAM gaz'd with fond surprise, 

 And drank delicious passion from her eyes; 

 Felt the new thrill of young Desire, and press'd 

 The graceful Virgin to his glowing breast. 

 The conscious Fair betrays her soft alarms, 

 Sinks with warm blush into his closing arms, 

 Yields to his fond caress with wanton play, 

 And sweet, reluctant, amorous, delay. 







IV. "WHERE no new Sex with glands nutritious feeds, 

 Nurs'd in her womb, the solitary breeds; IdO 



No Mother's care their early steps directs, 

 Warms in her bosom, with her wings protects; 

 The clime unkind, or noxious food instills 

 To embryon nerves hereditary ills; 

 The feeble births acquired diseases chase, 

 Till Death extinguish the degenerate race. 



Acquired diseases. 1. 165. See Additional Note XL 



