title: Out of Eden: The Surprising Consequences of Polygamy
author:  David P. Barash 
description: <br />"Hooray! At last! A book of serious science, accessible to non-scientists, that tells the truth about our own sexuality. Religious conservatives hate the fact that we evolved. Social conservatives hate the fact that we aren't naturally monogamous. But as <em>Out of Eden</em> makes clear, not only have we evolved, but we've evolved to be sexually frisky. At the same time, this eye-opening book makes sense of more than just evolution or sex alone; it gives important new perspectives on violence, parenting, adultery, childhood, homosexuality and the mysteries of monotheism as well as - surprisingly, perhaps - human genius. And it's great fun to read!" - Pepper Schwartz, professor of sociology, University of Washington and author (with Martha Kempner ) of <em>50 Great Myths of Human Sexuality</em> <br />
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  # Mac Flecknoe and Other Poems
  
  
  ## John Dryden
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  ### ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL: A POEM  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  In pious times, ere priest-craft did begin,  
  
  
  Before polygamy was made a sin;  
  
  
  When man, on many, multipli'd his kind,  
  
  
  Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd:  
  
  
  When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd  
  
  
  Promiscuous use of concubine and bride;  
  
  
  Then, Israel's monarch, after Heaven's own heart,  
  
  
  His vigorous warmth did variously impart  
  
  
  To wives and slaves: and, wide as his command,  
  
  
  Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land.  
  
  
  Michal, of royal blood, the crown did wear;  
  
  
  A soil ungrateful to the tiller's care:  
  
  
  Not so the rest; for several mothers bore  
  
  
  To god-like David, several sons before.  
  
  
  But since like slaves his bed they did ascend,  
  
  
  No true succession could their seed attend.  
  
  
  Of all this numerous progeny was none  
  
  
  So beautiful, so brave, as Absalom:  
  
  
  Whether, 