“I am troubled for Adam’s future,” answered the evil spirit, affecting the voice of the serpent.
“What! have we not all that can be desired in this garden of God?”
“That is true; but the noblest fruit of the garden, the only one securing to you perfect happiness, is denied to your lips.”
“Have we not abundance of fruit of every color and flavor—only one is forbidden?”
“And if you knew why that one is forbidden, you would find little pleasure in tasting the others.”
“Do you know?”
“I do, and for that reason am I so cast down. This fruit alone gives eternal youth and health, whereas all the others give weakness, disease, old age and death, which is the cessation of life with all its joys.”
“Why, dearest serpent, did you never tell me this before? Whence know you these things?”
“An angel told me this as I lay under the forbidden tree.”
“I must also see him,” said Eve, leaving her tent and going towards the tree.