Codex Junius 11 | Page 9

art an angel of the
Lord from heaven. Lo! I cannot understand thy precepts, thy words or
ways, thy errand or thy sayings. I know what things our Lord
commanded when I beheld Him nigh at hand. He bade me heed His
word, observe it well, and keep His precepts. Thou art not like to any of
His angels that ever I have seen, nor hast thou showed me any token
that my Lord hath sent of grace and favour. Therefore I cannot hearken
to thy teachings. Get thee hence! I have my faith set firm upon
Almighty God, who with His own hands wrought me. From His high
throne He giveth all good things, and needeth not to send His
ministers."
XII
(ll. 547-550) Then turned the fiend with wrathful heart to where he saw
Eve standing on the plains of earth, a winsome maid. And unto her he
said, the greatest of all ills thereafter would fall on their descendants in
the world:
(ll. 551-558) "I know God's anger will be roused against you, when

from this journey through far-stretching space I come again to Him,
and bring this message, that ye refuse to do His bidding, as He hath
sent commandment hither from the East. He needs must come to speak
with you, forsooth, nor may His minister proclaim His mission! Truly I
know His wrath will be kindled against you in His heart!
(ll. 559-587) "But if thou, woman, wilt hearken to my words, thou
mayest devise good counsel. Bethink thee in thy heart to turn away His
vengeance from you both, as I shall show thee. Eat of this fruit! Then
shall thine eyes grow keen, and thou shalt see afar through all the world,
yea! unto the throne of God, thy Lord, and have His favour. Thou
mayest rule the heart of Adam, if thou incline to do it and he doth trust
thy words, if thou wilt tell him truly what law thou hast in mind, to
keep God's precepts and commandments. His heart will cease from
bitter strife and evil answers, as we two tell him for his good. Urge him
earnestly to do thy bidding, lest ye be displeasing to the Lord your God.
If thou fulfill this undertaking, thou best of women, I will not tell our
Lord what evil Adam spake against me, his wicked words accusing me
of falsehood, saying that I am eager in transgression, a servant of the
Fiend and not God's angel. But I know well the angel race, and the high
courts of heaven. Long ages have I served the Lord my God with loyal
heart. I am not like a devil."
(ll. 588-599) So he urged with lies and luring wiles, tempting the
woman unto sin, until the serpent's counsel worked within her -- for
God had wrought her soul the weaker -- and her heart inclined
according to his teaching. Transgressing God's commandment, from the
fiend she took the fatal fruit of the tree of death. Never was worse deed
wrought for men! Great is the wonder that Eternal God, the Lord,
would let so many of His thanes be tricked with lies by one who
brought such counsel. She ate the fruit and set at naught the will and
word of God.
(ll. 600-610) Then could she see afar by gift of the fiend, whose lies
deceived and artfully ensnared her, so that it came to pass the heavens
appeared to her more radiant, and the earth and all the world more fair,
the great and mighty handiwork of God, though she beheld it not by
human wisdom; but eagerly the fiend deceived her soul and gave her
vision, that she might see afar across the heavenly kingdom. Then
spake the fiend with hostile purpose -- and nought of profit did he

counsel:
(ll. 610-625) "Now mayest thou behold, most worthy Eve, nor need I
tell thee, how fair thy beauty and thy form how changed, since thou
didst trust my words and do my bidding. A radiance shineth round
about thee, gleaming splendour, which I brought forth from God on
high. Thou mayest touch it! Tell Adam what vision thou hast and
power by my coming. And even yet, if he will do my bidding with
humble heart, I will give him of this light abundantly, as I have given
thee, and will not punish his reviling words, though he deserves no
mercy for the grievous ill he spake against me. So shall his children
live hereafter! When they do evil, they must win God's love, avert His
doom, and gain the favour of their Lord for ever!"
(ll. 626-635) Then the lovely maid, fairest of women that ever came
into this world, went unto Adam. She was the handiwork of the