into this cursed world a woful race； that after wretched life must be at last ＇ 985 ＇ food for so foule a monster； in thy power it lies； yet ere conception to prevent the race unblest； to being yet unbegot。 childless thou art； childless remaine： so death shall be deceavd his glut； and with us two ＇ 990 ＇ be forcd to satisfie his ravnous maw。 but if thou judge it hard and difficult； conversing； looking； loving； to abstain from loves due rites； nuptial imbraces sweet； and with desire to languish without hope； ＇ 995 ＇ before the present object languishing with like desire； which would be miserie and torment less then none of what we dread； then both our selves and seed at once to free from what we fear for both； let us make short； ＇ 1000 ＇ let us seek death； or he not found； supply with our own hands his office on our selves； why stand we longer shivering under feares； that shew no end but death； and have the power； of many ways to die the shortest choosing； ＇ 1005 ＇ destruction with destruction to destroy。 。。 Paradise Lost Ⅹ23 ＜小＞说？网 she ended heer； or vehement despaire broke off the rest； so much of death her thoughts had entertaind； as did her cheeks with pale。 but adam with such counsel nothing swayd； ＇ 1010 ＇ to better hopes his more attentive minde labouring had raisd； and thus to eve replid。 eve； thy contempt of life and pleasure seems to argue in thee somthing more sublime and excellent then what thy minde contemnes； ＇ 1015 ＇ but self…destruction therefore saught； refutes that excellence thought in thee； and implies； not thy contempt； but anguish and regret for loss of life and pleasure overlovd。 or if thou covet death； as utmost end ＇ 1020 ＇ of miserie； so thinking to evade the penaltie pronounct； doubt not but god hath wiselier armd his vengeful ire then so to be forestalld； much more i fear least death so snatcht will not exempt us from the paine ＇ 1025 ＇ we are by doom to pay； rather such acts of contumacie will provoke the highest to make death in us live： then let us seek some safer resolution； which methinks i have in view； calling to minde with heed ＇ 1030 ＇ part of our sentence； that thy seed shall bruise the serpents head； piteous amends； unless be meant； whom i conjecture； our grand foe satan； who in the serpent hath contrivd against us this deceit： to crush his head ＇ 1035 ＇ would be revenge indeed； which will be lost by death brought on our selves； or childless days resolvd； as thou proposest； so our foe shall scape his punishment ordaind； and wee instead shall double ours upon our heads。 ＇ 1040 ＇ 。。 Paradise Lost Ⅹ24 @小‘说〃网 no more be mentiond then of violence against our selves； and wilful barrenness； that cuts us off from hope； and savours onely rancor and pride； impatience and despite； reluctance against god and his just yoke ＇ 1045 ＇ laid on our necks。 remember with what mild and gracious temper he both heard and judgd without wrauth or reviling； wee expected immediate dissolution； which we thought was meant by death that day； when lo； to thee ＇ 1050 ＇ pains onely in child…bearing were foretold； and bringing forth； soon repenct with joy； fruit of thy womb： on mee the curse aslope glancd on the ground； with labour i must earne my bread； what harm？ idleness had bin worse； ＇ 1055 ＇ my labour will sustain me； and least cold or heat should injure us； his timely care hath unbesaught provided； and his hands cloathd us unworthie； pitying while he judgd； how much more； if we pray him； will his ear ＇ 1060 ＇ be open； and his heart to pitie incline； and teach us further by what means to shun th inclement seasons； rain； ice； hail and snow； which now the skie with various face begins to shew us in this mountain； while the winds ＇ 1065 ＇ blow moist and keen； shattering the graceful locks of these fair spreading trees； which bids us seek som better shroud； som better warmth to cherish our limbs benummd； ere this diurnal starr leave cold the night； how we his gatherd beams ＇ 1070 ＇ reflected； may with matter sere foment； or by collision of two bodies grinde the air attrite to fire； as late the clouds justling or pusht with winds rude in thir shock tine the slant lightning； whose thwart flame drivn down ＇ 1075 ＇ kindles the gummie bark of firr or pine； and sends a fortable heat from farr； which might supplie the sun： such fire to use； and what may else be remedie or cure to evils which our own misdeeds have wrought； ＇ 1080 ＇ hee will instruct us praying； and of grace beseeching him； so as we need not fear to pass modiously this life； sustaind by him with many forts； till we end in dust； our final rest and native home。 ＇ 1085 ＇ what better can we do； then to the place repairing where he judgd us； prostrate fall before him reverent； and there confess humbly our faults； and pardon beg； with tears watering the ground； and with our sighs the air ＇ 1090 ＇ frequenting； sent from hearts contrite； in sign of sorrow unfeignd； and humiliation meek。 undoubtedly he will relent and turn from his displeasure； in whose look serene； when angry most he seemd and most severe； ＇ 1095 ＇ what else but favor； grace； and mercie shon？ so spake our father penitent； nor eve felt less remorse： they forthwith to the place repairing where he judgd them prostrate fell before him reverent； and both confessd ＇ 1100 ＇ humbly thir faults； and pardon begd； with tears watering the ground； and with thir sighs the air frequenting； sent from hearts contrite； in sign of sorrow unfeignd； and humiliation meek。 the end of the tenth book。 。。 ，