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 dressThis Garden, still to tend Plant, Herb and Flower.Our pleasant task enjoined, but till more handsAid us, the work under our labor grows,Luxurious by restraint; what we by dayLop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind,One night or two with wanton growth deridesTending to wild. Thou therefore now adviseOr hear what to my mind first thoughts present,Let us divide our labors, thou where choiceLeads thee, or where most needs, whether to windThe Woodbine round this Arbor, or directThe clasping Ivie where to climb, while IIn yonder Spring of Roses intermixtWith Myrtle, find what to redress till Noon:For while so near each other thus all dayOur task we choose, what wonder if no nearLooks intervene and smiles, or object newCasual discourse draw on, which intermitsOur days work brought to little, though begunEarly, 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 beyondCompare above all living Creatures dear,Well hast thou motioned, well thy thoughts employedHow we might best fulfill the work which hereGod hath assigned us, nor of me shalt passUnpraised: for nothing lovelier can be foundIn 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 continuesYet not so strictly hath our Lord imposedLabor, as to debar us when we needRefreshment, whether food, or talk between,Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourseOf 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 delightHe made us, and delight to Reason joined.These paths and Bowers doubt not but our jointWill keep from Wilderness with ease, as wideAs we need walk, till younger hands ere longAssist us: But if much converse perhapsThee satiate, to short absence I could yield.For solitude sometimes is best society,And short retirement urges sweet return.