To whom thus Adam fervently replied: “O Woman, best are all things as the will Of God ordained them; his creating hand Nothing imperfect or deficient left Of all that he created, much less Man, Or aught that might his happy state secure, Secure from outward force: within himself The danger lies, yet lies within his power; Against his will he can receive no harm. But God left free the will; for what obeys Reason is free, and Reason he made right, But bid her well be ware, and still erect, Lest, by some fair appearing good surprised, She dictate false, and misinform the will To do what God expressly hath forbid. Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve, Since Reason not impossibly may meet Some specious object by the foe suborned, And fall into deception unaware, Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warned. Seek not temptation then, which to avoid Were better, and most likely if from me