BOOK IV

Satan , now in prospect of EJen , ant! nigh the place wlierc he must now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alone against God and man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despair; but at length conDrms himself in evil ; journeys on to paradise, whose out wardprospectand situation is described; overleaps tlie bounds; sits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden , to look about liim. The garden described; Satan's first sight of Adam and Eve ; his wonder at their excellent form and h;ippy state, but with resolution to work their fall; overhears their discourse , thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbiddin them to eat of, under penalty of death : and thereon intends to found bis temptation by seducing thein to transgress : then leaves them