The orb he roamed
  With narrow search; and with inspection deep
  Considered every creature, which of all
  Most opportune might serve his wiles; and found
  The serpent subtlest beast of all the field. 
  Him, after long debate, irresolute
  Of thoughts revolved, his final sentence chose
  Fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom
  To enter, and his dark suggestions hide
  From sharpest sight:  for, in the wily snake
  Whatever sleights, none would suspicious mark,
  As from his wit and native subtlety
  Proceeding; which, in other beasts observed. 
  Doubt might beget of diabolic power
  Active within, beyond the sense of brute.

* * * * *

  For now, and since first break of dawn, the fiend. 
  Mere serpent in appearance, forth was come;
  And on his quest, where likeliest he might find
  The only two of mankind, but in them
  The whole included race, his purposed prey. 
  In bower and field he sought where any tuft
  Of grove or garden-plot more pleasant lay,
  Their tendance, or plantation for delight;
  By fountain or by shady rivulet
  He sought them both, but wished his hap might find
  Eve separate; he wished, but not with hope
  Of what so seldom chanced; when to his wish,
  Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies,
  Veiled in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood,
  Half spied, so thick the roses blushing round
  About her glowed.

* * * * *

  “She fair, divinely fair, fit love for gods. 
  Not terrible, though terror be in love
  And beauty, not approached by stronger hate. 
  Hate stronger, under show of love well feigned;
  The way which to her ruin now I tend.” 
    So spake the enemy of mankind, inclosed
  In serpent, inmate bad! and toward Eve
  Addressed his way:  not with indented wave,
  Prone on the ground, as since; but on his rear,
  Circular base of rising folds, that towered
  Fold above fold, a surging maze! his head
  Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes;
  With burnished neck of verdant gold, erect. 
  Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass
  Floated redundant:  pleasing was his shape
  And lovely; never since of serpent-kind
  Lovelier.

* * * * *

  So varied he, and of his tortuous train
  Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve,
  To lure her eye; she, busied, heard the sound
  Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as used
  To such disport before her through the field,
  From every beast; more duteous at her call,
  Than at Circean call the herd disguised. 
  He, bolder now, uncalled before her stood,
  But as in gaze admiring:  oft he bowed
  His turret crest, and sleek enamelled neck,
  Fawning; and licked the ground whereon