Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Mean while Uriel descending on a Sun-beam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the Gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escap’d the Deep, and past at Noon by his Sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the Mount. The Garden describ’d Satans first sight of Adam and Eve his wonder at thir excellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work thir fall overhears thir discourse, thence gathers that the Tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death and thereon intends to found his Temptation, by seducing them to transgress: then leaves them a while, to know further of thir state by some other means. Satan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprize which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions, fear, envy, and despare but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and scituation is discribed, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of a Cormorant on the Tree of life, as highest in the Garden to look about him. 76 John Milton: Paradise Lost (Books 4-6) BOOK 4 THE ARGUMENT

Paradise lost book 4