Page:Legends of Old Testament Characters.djvu/49

IV.] Eblis answered that he was not ready to leave yet, but that he desired to speak to Adam out of her mouth, and to this she consented, fearing Ridhwan, and greatly desiring to hear and learn the three salutary words. Having reached Eve's tent, Eblis uttered a deep sigh—it was the first that had been heard in Eden, and it was caused by envy. "Why are you so disquieted, gentle serpent?" asked Eve. "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 colour and flavour—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 of 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. At this moment Eblis flew out of the serpent's mouth, and stood in human form beneath the tree.

"Who art thou, wondrous being, the like of whom I have not seen before?" asked Eve.

"I am a man who have become an angel." "And how didst thou become an angel?" "By eating of this fruit," answered the tempter,—"this fruit which is denied us through the envy of God. I dared to break His command as I grew old and feeble, and my eyes waxed dim, my ears dull, and my teeth fell out, so that I could neither speak plainly nor enjoy my food; my hands shook, my feet tottered, my head was bent upon my breast, my back was bowed, and I became so hideous that all the beasts of the garden fled from me in fear. Then I sighed for death, and hoping to find it in the fruit of this tree, I ate, and lo!