THE SERPENT.  Adam cannot conceive.

EVE.  Why?

THE SERPENT.  Lilith did not imagine him so.  He can imagine:  he can will:  he can desire:  he can gather his life together for a great spring towards creation:  he can create all things except one; and that one is his own kind.

EVE.  Why did Lilith keep this from him?

THE SERPENT.  Because if he could do that he could do without Eve.

EVE.  That is true.  It is I who must conceive.

THE SERPENT.  Yes.  By that he is tied to you.

EVE.  And I to him!

THE SERPENT.  Yes, until you create another Adam.

EVE.  I had not thought of that.  You are very subtle.  But if I create another Eve he may turn to her and do without me.  I will not create any Eves, only Adams.

THE SERPENT.  They cannot renew themselves without Eves.  Sooner or later you will die like the fawn; and the new Adams will be unable to create without new Eves.  You can imagine such an end; but you cannot desire it, therefore cannot will it, therefore cannot create Adams only.

EVE.  If I am to die like the fawn, why should not the rest die too?  What do I care?

THE SERPENT.  Life must not cease.  That comes before everything.  It is silly to say you do not care.  You do care.  It is that care that will prompt your imagination; inflame your desires; make your will irresistible; and create out of nothing.

EVE [thoughtfully] There can be no such thing as nothing.  The garden is full, not empty.

THE SERPENT.  I had not thought of that.  That is a great thought.  Yes:  there is no such thing as nothing, only things we cannot see.  The chameleon eats the air.

EVE.  I have another thought:  I must tell it to Adam. [Calling] Adam!  Adam!  Coo-ee!

ADAM’S VOICE.  Coo-ee!

EVE.  This will please him, and cure his fits of melancholy.

THE SERPENT.  Do not tell him yet.  I have not told you the great secret.

EVE.  What more is there to tell?  It is I who have to do the miracle.

THE SERPENT.  No:  he, too, must desire and will.  But he must give his desire and his will to you.

EVE.  How?

THE SERPENT.  That is the great secret.  Hush! he is coming.

ADAM [returning] Is there another voice in the garden besides our voices and the Voice?  I heard a new voice.

EVE [rising and running to him] Only think, Adam!  Our snake has learnt to speak by listening to us.

ADAM [delighted] Is it so? [He goes past her to the stone, and fondles the serpent].

THE SERPENT [responding affectionately] It is so, dear Adam.

EVE.  But I have more wonderful news than that.  Adam:  we need not live for ever.