them an account of Satan, of his rebellion in heaven, and the wars of the rebel angels, down to their defeat and expulsion from heaven by the Messiah. This occupies the remainder of the fifth and the whole of the sixth books. In the seventh, Raphael, at Adam's request, gives a description of the creation of the world; and in the eighth book, Adam, in return, gives the angel a narrative of his own creation and that of Eve. In the ninth book, Satan, who had been driven away from Paradise by the guardian angels, returns by night as a mist, and, in order to prosecute his designs, enters the serpent. BOOK IX. THE ARGUMENT. Adam and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours, which Eve proposes to divide in several places, each labouring apart: Adam consents not, alleging the danger, lest that enemy, of whom they were forewarned, should attempt her found alone. Eve, loth to be thought not circumspect or firm enough, urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make trial of her strength. Adam at last yields; the Serpent finds her alone; his subtile approach, first gazing, then speaking; with much flattery extolling Eve above all other creatures. Eve, wondering to hear the Serpent speak, asks how he attained to human speech, and such understanding, not till now: the Serpent answers, that, by tasting of a certain tree in the garden, he attained both to speech and reason, till then void of both. Eve requires him to bring her to that tree, and finds it to be the tree of knowledge forbidden: the Serpent, now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments, induces her at length to eat; she, pleased with the taste, deliberates a while whether to impart thereof to Adam or not; at last brings him of the fruit; relates what persuaded her to eat thereof. Adam, at first amazed, but perceiving her lost, resolves, through vehemence of love, to perish with her; and, extenuating the trespass, eats also of the fruit. Now, when as sacred light began to dawn With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, Of creatures wanting voice; that done, partake 205 210 Our pleasant task enjoin'd; but till more hands Compare above all living creatures dear! 220 235 Well hast thou motion'd, well thy thoughts employ'd 240 245 250 These paths and bow'rs doubt not but our joint hands Conjugal love, than which perhaps no bliss 225 260 Enjoy'd by us excites his envy more: Or this, or worse: leave not the faithful side 265 That gave thee being, still shades thee, and protects. The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, Safest and seemliest by her husband stays, Who guards her, or with her the worst endures." 270 As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, With sweet austere composure thus replied: "Offspring of heav'n and earth, and all earth's lord! That such an enemy we have, who seeks Our ruin, both by thee inform'd I learn, And from the parting angel overheard, As in a shady nook I stood behind, Just then return'd at shut of ev'ning flow'rs. 275 But, that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt To God or thee, because we have a foe 280 May tempt it, I expected not to hear. 285 His fraud is then thy fear; which plain infers To whom, with healing words, Adam replied: 290 "Daughter of God and man, immortal Eve! For such thou art, from sin and blame entire: Not diffident of thee do I dissuade Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid Th' attempt itself, intended by our foe. 295 For he who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses Against temptation: thou thyself with scorn From thee alone, which on us both at once 300 305 310 More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome or overreach'd, Would utmost vigour raise, and rais'd unite. Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel 315 When I am present, and thy trial chuse With me, best witness of thy virtue tried?" |