Now was the sun in western cadence low From noon, and gentle airs due at their hour To fan the Earth now waked, and usher in The evening cool, when he, from wrath more cool, Came, the mild Judge and Intercessor both, To sentence Man. The voice of God they heard Now walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears, while day declined; they heard, And from his presence hid themselves among The thickest trees, both man and wife, till God, Approaching, thus to Adam called aloud:
“Where art thou, Adam, wont with joy to meet My coming seen far off? I miss thee here, Not pleased, thus entertained with solitude, Where obvious duty erewhile appeared unsought. Or come I less conspicuous, or what change Absents thee, or what chance detains? Come forth.”
He came, and with him Eve, more loth, though first To offend, discountenanced both, and discomposed; Love was not in their looks, either to God Or to each other, but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answered brief:
“I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice Afraid, being naked, hid myself.” To whom The gracious Judge without revile replied:
“My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not feared, But still rejoiced; how is it now become So dreadful to thee? That thou art naked, who Hath told thee? Hast thou eaten of the tree, Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?”
To whom thus Adam, sore beset, replied: “O Heaven! in evil strait this day I stand Before my Judge—either to undergo Myself the total crime, or to accuse My other self, the partner of my life; Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I should conceal, and not expose to blame By my complaint; but strict necessity Subdues me, and calamitous constraint, Lest on my head both sin and punishment, However insupportable, be