Here reading how fond Adam was betray'd, <br />And how by sin Eve's blasted charms decay'd, <br />Our common loss unjustly you complain, <br />So small that part of it which you sustain. <br /> <br />You still, fair mother, in your offspring trace <br />The stock of beauty destined for the race; <br />Kind Nature forming them, the pattern took <br />From heaven's first work, and Eve's original look. <br /> <br />You, happy saint, the serpent's power control; <br />Scarce any actual guilt defiles your soul; <br />And hell does o'er that mind vain triumphs boast <br />Which gains does o'er that mind vain triumphs boast <br /> <br />With virtue strong as yours had Eve been arm'd, <br />In vain the fruit had blush'd, or serpent charm'd; <br />Nor had our bliss by penitence been bought, <br />Nor had frail Adam fall'n, nor Milton wrote.<br /><br />Matthew Prior<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-the-lady-dursley/
