y still, and oft return.
So parted they, the Angel up to Heav'n
From the thick shade, and Adam to his Bowre.

Notes:
1-4 These lines were added in the second edition (1674) when
Book VII was divided into two at line 640. Line 641 had read
'To whom thus Adam gratefully repli'd'.
269 as] and 1674.

The End Of The Eighth Book.

BOOK IX.

THE ARGUMENT.

Satan having compast the Earth, with meditated guile returns as a mist
by Night into Paradise, enters into the Serpent sleeping. Adam and Eve
in the Morning go forth to thir labours, which Eve proposes to divide in
several places, each labouring apart: Adam consents not, alledging the
danger, lest that Enemy, of whom they were forewarn'd, should attempt
her found alone: Eve loath to be thought not circumspect or firm enough,
urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make tryal of her
strength; Adam at last yields: The Serpent finds her alone; his subtle
approach, first gazing, then speaking with much flattery extolling Eve
above all other Creatures. Eve wondring to hear the Serpent speak, asks
how he attain'd to human speech and such understanding not till now; the
Serpent answers, that by tasting of a certain Tree in the Garden he
attain'd 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 pleas'd with the taste deliberates
awhile 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
amaz'd, but perceiving her lost, resolves through vehemence of love to
perish with her; and extenuating the trespass, eats also of the Fruit:
The effects thereof in them both; they seek to cover thir nakedness;
then fall to variance and accusation of one another.

No more of talk where God or Angel Guest
With Man, as with his Friend, familiar us'd
To sit indulgent, and with him partake
Rural repast, permitting him the while
Venial discourse unblam'd: I now must change
Those Notes to Tragic; foul distrust, and breach
Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt
And disobedience: On the part of Heav'n
Now alienated, distance and distaste,
Anger and just rebuke, and judgement giv'n, 10
That brought into this World a world of woe,
Sinne and her shadow