through the garden, perceives Eve alone among the roses, and rejoices
to think he can make his first attempt upon what he rightly deems the
weaker vessel. Although not without compunction, he wends his way
toward her and startles her by addressing her in a human voice. When
she inquires how it happens a beast can communicate with her, the
serpent rejoins that, although at first speechless like other beasts,
he no sooner tasted a certain fruit than he was gifted with greater
knowledge than he had yet enjoyed and endowed with the power of
speech. Deeming the fruit of such a tree might have equally beneficial
effects upon her and make her more nearly equal to her consort, Eve
longs to partake of it too, and readily follows her guide to the
centre of the garden. But, when the serpent points out the forbidden
tree, Eve prepares to withdraw, until the tempter assures her God's
prohibition was not intended to be obeyed. He argues that, although he
has tasted the fruit he continues to live and has obtained new
faculties, and by this specious reasoning induces Eve to pluck and eat
the fruit. As it touches her lips nature gives "signs of woe," and
the guilty serpent links back into the thicket, leaving Eve to gorge
upon the fruit whose taste affords her keener delight than she ever
experienced before. In laudatory terms she now promises to care for
the tree, and then wonders whether Adam will perceive any difference
in her, and whether it will be wise to impart to him the happiness she
has tasted. Although at first doubtful, Eve, fearing lest death may
ensue and Adam replace her by another partner, determines to induce
her husband to share this food too, for she loves Adam too dearly to
live without him.

"Confirmed then I resolve,
Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe:
So dear I love him, that with him all deaths