Chapter 13 12

Shee fair, divinely fair, fit Love for Gods, Not terrible, though terror be in Love [ 490 ] And beautie, not approacht by stronger hate, Hate stronger, under shew of Love well feigned, The way which to her ruin now I tend. So spake the Enemie of Mankind, enclosing In Serpent, Inmate bad, and toward Eve [495] Addressed his way, not with indented wave, Prone on the ground, as since, but on his reare, Circular base of rising would, that toured Fould above could a surge Maze, his Head Crested aloft, and Carbuncle his Eyes; [ 500 ] With burnisht Neck of verdant Gold, erect

Amidst his circular Spires, that on the grass Floted redundant: pleasing was his shape, And lovely, never since of Serpent kind Lovelier, not those that in Illyria changd [ 505 ] Hermione and Cadmus, or the God In Epidaurus; nor to which transformed Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline was seen, Hee with Olympias, this with her who bore Scipio the highth of Rome . With tract oblique [ 510 ] At first, as one who sought access, but feared To interrupt, side-long he works his way. As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind Veres oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her Saile; [ 515 ]

So varied hee, and of his tortuous Traine Curld many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve, To lure her Eye; shee busied heard the sound Of rusling leaves, but thought not, as usd To such disport before her through the Field, [ 520 ] From every Beast, more duetous at her call, Then at Circean call the Herd disguised. Hee boulder now, uncalld before her stood; But as in gaze admiring: Oft he bowed His turret Crest, and sleek enameld Neck, [ 525 ] Fawning, and licked the ground where on she trod. His gentle dumb expression turn at length The Eye of Eve to mark his play; he glad

Of her attention gained, with Serpent Tongue Organic, or impulse of vocal Air, [ 530 ] His fraudulent temptation thus began.