him that he had the power to retain or forfeit his happy state, and
caution him against the wiles of the fiend, lest, after wilfully
transgressing, man should claim he had not been forewarned.

Past choirs of angels, through the golden gate, and down the mighty
stairs, Raphael flits, reaching earth in the shape of a six-winged
cherub, whose iridescent plumes seem to have been dipped in heaven's
own dyes. On beholding this visitor, Adam bids Eve collect her
choicest fruit, and, while she hastens away on "hospitable thoughts
intent," advances to meet Raphael, knowing he brings some divine
message. After hailing Eve with the salutation later used for Mary,
the angel proceeds to Adam's lodge and shares his meal, admitting that
the angels in heaven partake of spiritual food only, although they are
endowed with senses like man.

On discovering he may question Raphael,--save in regard to matters
which are to be withheld for a while longer,--Adam queries about
things which have troubled him. Inferring from the angel's words that
their bliss is not secure, he learns that as long as he proves
obedient his happiness will continue, but that, having been created as
free as the angels, he can choose his lot. When Adam asks in regard to
heavenly things, Raphael wonders how he can relate, in terms
intelligible to finite mind, things which, even angels fail to
conceive in their entirety and which it may not be lawful to reveal.
Still, knowing he can vouchsafe a brief outline of all that has
hitherto occurred, Raphael describes how the Almighty, after creating
the Son, bade the angels bow down and worship him. He states that,
during the night following this event, Lucifer, angry because he was
no longer second in heaven, withdrew to that quarter of the sky
entrusted to his keeping, and there suggested to Beelzebub rebellion