Season 3 Podcast 213 Milton's Paradise Lost, Bk IX, PT XX, "Contention in Paradise"
Milton’s Paradise Lost Bk IX, Pt XX, “Adam and Eve’s First Argument”
A new day begins. Practical Eve suggests that until they have children to help them, they divide the labor and separate to get more done. Eve, having already worked out the details in her organized mind, proceeds to tell Adam how best to divide the labors.
Adam, well may we labor still to dress
This Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flower.
Our pleasant task enjoined, but till more hands
Aid us, the work under our labor grows,
Luxurious by restraint; what we by day
Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind,
One night or two with wanton growth derides
Tending to wild. Thou therefore now advise
Or hear what to my mind first thoughts present,
Let us divide our labors, thou where choice
Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind
The Woodbine round this Arbor, or direct
The clasping Ivie where to climb, while I
In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt
With Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon:
For while so near each other thus all day
Our task we choose, what wonder if no near
Looks intervene and smiles, or object new
Casual discourse draw on, which intermits
Our days work brought to little, though begun
Early, and th’ hour of Supper comes unearned.
Adam, however, having been warned by Raphael that Lucifer is in the Garden doesn’t want Eve to leave his sight. He is less concerned about the task at hand. He tries to dissuade Eve from her plan. He is at first very diplomatic without coming to the point. He uses sincere flattery.
To whom mild answer Adam thus returned.
Sole Eve, Associate sole, to me beyond
Compare above all living Creatures dear,
Well hast thou motioned, well thy thoughts employed
How we might best fulfill the work which here
God hath assigned us, nor of me shalt pass
Unpraised: for nothing lovelier can be found
In woman, than to study household good,
And good works in her Husband to promote.
Adam is less practical. He reminds Eve that although tending the garden is important, companionship is better. Intelligent discourse is barred the brute beasts. Humans were made for higher things than satisfying the stomach. They were made to delight in each other’s company. If they work together, they may reason together and exercise their higher faculties. Adam compromises and suggests that being apart a short time would be acceptable, hoping to dissuade Eve from her more ambitious plan to remain apart all morning. Adam continues
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed
Labor, as to debar us when we need
Refreshment, whether food, or talk between,
Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse
Of looks and smiles, for smiles from Reason flow,
To brute denied, and are of Love the food,
Love not the lowest end of human life.
For not to irksome toil, but to delight
He made us, and delight to Reason joined.
These paths and Bowers doubt not but our joint
Will keep from Wilderness with ease, as wide
As we need walk, till younger hands ere long
Assist us: But if much converse perhaps
Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield.
For solitude sometimes is best society,
And short retirement urges sweet return.
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