Classic Poem

Adam, quoth He, the beauties manifold
That in this Eden thou dost heer behold,
Are all thine; onely enter; (sacred Race)
Come, take possession of this wealthy place,
The Earth's sole glory: take (dear Son) to thee
This Farm's demains, leave the Chief right to me;
And th' onely Rent that of it I reserve, is
One Tree's fair fruit, to shew thy sute and service:
Be thou the Liege, and I Lord Paramount,
Ile not exact hard fines (as men shall woont).
For signe of Homage, and for seal of Faith,
Of all the Profits this Possession hath,
I onely ask one Tree; whose fruit I will
For Sacrament shall stand of Good and Ill .
Take all the rest, I bid thee; but I vow
By th' un-named Name, where-to all knees do bow,
And by the keen Darts of my kindled ire
(More fiercely burning than consuming fire)
That of the fruit of Knowledge if thou feed,
Death, dreadfull death, shal plague thee and thy seed.
If then, the happy state thou holdst of me,
My holy mildnesse, nor high Majestie,
If faith nor honour curb thy bold ambition,
Yet weigh thy selfe, and thine own Seeds condition.