O sons, like one of us man is become To know both good and evil, since his taste Of that defended fruit; but let him boast His knowledge of good lost and evil got; Happier had it suffic’d him to have known Good by itself, and evil not at all. (XI, 84–89)
God is as here, and will be found alike Present, and of his presence many a sign Still following thee, still compassing thee round With goodness and paternal love, his face Express, and of his steps the track divine. (XI, 350–354)
Death thou hast seen In his first shape on man; but many shapes Of death, and many are the ways that lead To his grim cave, all dismal; yet to sense More terrible at th’entrance than within. Some, as thou saw’st, by violent stroke shall die, By fire, flood, famine; by intemp’rance more In meats and drinks, which on the earth shall bring Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew Before thee shall appear; that thou may’st know What misery th’inabstinence of Eve Shall bring on men[.] (XI, 466–477)
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