BOOK IX

Satan , having cotnpassed tlie eartli , witb mcditated giiile retiirns , as a mist, by night into paradise; fnterî into ilie serpent sleeping. Adam and Eve in the morning go fortli to tlieir labours , which Eve proposes to divide in several places , each laboiiring apart : Adam consents not, alleging the danger, lest that enemy, of whom they werc forewarned, should attempt her found alone. Eve, loth to be thought not ciicnmspect or 6rm enough , urges her going apart, the rather desirous to niake trial of her strength ; Adam at last yields. The serpent finds her a!one; his subtle approach , iirsr gazing , then speaking, with much flattery extolîing Eve above ail other créatures. Eve, wondering to hear tbe serpt-nt speak , asks ho^v he attained to human speech, and sucli understanding, not till now; the serpent answers , lliat by tasting of a certain trce in the garden he attained both to speech and reason , till then void of botli. Eve requires him to bring her to that tree , and fiads it to be the tiee of knowledge forbidden. The serpent.