BOOK IV

Satan , nnw in prospect of Eden , anrt nigli the place wliere lie must now atlcmpt tho bold enlcrprisc which lie undeitook alone against God and man, falls into niany doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy , and despair; but at length confirms himself in evil ; journeys on to paradise, whose oui wardprospect and situation is described; ovorleaps the bounds ; sits in tlie shape of a cormorant on the tiee of life, as bighost in the garden , to look about him. The garden described; Satan's first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at tlieir excellent forai anil h.nppy slate, but with résolution to work their fall; overhoars their discourse , tlience gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbiddcn tliem to eat of, under penalty of death •. and thereon intends to fourni his tcmptation by scducing them to transgress : then Icaves tlieni