Snakes in Tradition. 61 



Adam's happy lot, and he moves on, soliloquising as he goes 

 upon the ruin he is about to work : 



" So spake th' enemy of mankind, inclosed 

 In serpent, inmate bad, and toward Eve 

 Addressed his way, not with indented wave, 

 Prone to the ground, as since, but on his rear, 

 Circular base of rising folds, that towered 

 Fold above fold a surging maze, his head 

 Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ; 

 With burnished neck of verdant gold, erect 

 Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass 

 Floated redundant : pleasing was his shape, 

 And lovely ; never since of serpent kind 

 Lovelier." 



But he does not approach Eve directly, but "with tract 

 oblique, as one who sought access, but feared to interrupt, 

 sidelong he worked his way," and when in her sight he dis- 

 plays himself to catch her attention : 



" Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve, 

 To lure her eye." 



She hears him rustling, but does not look up, being so 

 accustomed to the beasts disporting themselves about her 

 and vying with each other for her regard. So the snake 

 comes right in front of her "as in gaze admiring." 



" Oft he bow'd 



His turret crest and sleek enamel'd neck, 

 Fawning, and licked the ground whereon she trod. 

 His gentle dumb expression turned at length 

 The eye of Eve to mark his play." 



Her attention thus won, the tragedy commences. She asks 

 him in astonishment how he came to have human speech. 

 He replies (" the spirited, sly snake "), by eating of a certain 

 fruit. She asks where the tree stands ? 



" To whom the wily adder, blithe and glad : 

 Empress, the way is ready, and not long ; 



... If thou accept 

 My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon." 



