The Rule Of Not Too Much Poem by gershon hepner

The rule of not too much, by temperance taught,
Michael taught to Adam. When he ate
the apple God decided to cut short
his life and that of Eve. This was their fate,
and since strong drink had not yet been invented,
and apples give you indigestion, they
made love. Conception could not be prevented,
they put making on their resumé,
but far too many, I would say, for over-
population is far worse than drink,
and ought to make a conscientious lover
use contraceptives or consult a shrink.

Inspired by Milton’s Paradise Lose Book 10.518-43:

Therefore so abject is thir punishment,
Disfiguring not Gods likeness, but thir own,
Or if his likeness, by themselves defac't
520
While they pervert pure Natures healthful rules
To loathsom sickness, worthily, since they
Gods Image did not reverence in themselves.
I yeild it just, said Adam, and submit.
But is there yet no other way, besides
These painful passages, how we may come
To Death, and mix with our connatural dust?
There is, said Michael, if thou well observe
The rule of not too much, by temperance taught
In what thou eatst and drinkst, seeking from thence
530
Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,
Till many years over thy head return:
So maist thou live, till like ripe Fruit thou drop
Into thy Mothers lap, or be with ease
Gatherd, not harshly pluckt, for death mature:
This is old age; but then thou must outlive
Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change
To witherd weak & gray; thy Senses then
Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgoe,
To what thou hast, and for the Aire of youth
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Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reigne
A melancholly damp of cold and dry
To waigh thy spirits down, and last consume
The Balme of Life. To whom our Ancestor.

6/5/08