Meanwhile our primitive great Sire, to meet His godlike guest, walks forth, without more train Accompanied than with his own complete Perfections; in himself was all his state, More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits On princes, when their rich retinue long Of horses led, and grooms besmeared with gold, Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. Nearer his presence, Adam, though not awed, Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, As to a superior nature, bowing low, Thus said: “Native of Heaven (for other place None can than Heaven such glorious shape contain), Since, by descending from the Thrones above, Those happy places thou hast deigned a while To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us, Two only, who yet by sovereign gift possess This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower To rest, and what the Garden choicest bears To sit and taste, till this meridian heat Be over, and the sun more cool decline.”