BOOK IX

Satan , liaving compassée! the earth , with ineditated giiile leturns , as a mist, by night into paradise; enters irito the serpent sieeping. Adam and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours , which Eve proposes to divide in several places , each laboui ing apart : Adam ronsents not, alleging the danger, lest that enemy, of whom they were forewarned. should attempt lier found alone. Eve, lotli to be thoiight not circumspect or firm enougli , urges her going apart , the ralher désirons to make trial of her strength ; Adam a£ last yields. The serpent finds lier alone; his snbtle approach , first gaxing , then speaking , with much (lattery extolling Eve abovc ail otber créatures. Eve, wondering to hear the serpent spcak , 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 ami reason , till then void of bolh. Eve requires him to bring her to that tree , and finds it to be the trec of knowledge forbidden. The serpent.