Book IV

Milton invokes a warning voice, then Satan on Niphates' summit delivers a tortured soliloquy—acknowledging God's goodness, his own pride and ingratitude, and resolving to pursue evil despite knowing no hope of repentance.

Satan, his passions masking behind a calm face, travels to the border of Eden, leaps over the garden wall like a thief, and perches on the Tree of Life to observe God's new creation.

Milton describes the splendor of Paradise in detail—its groves, rivers, flowers, and the Tree of Life—and then Satan first beholds Adam and Eve, godlike in their erect majesty.

Milton describes Adam and Eve's physical beauty, their equal dignity yet different natures, their innocence and the animals sporting around them—while Satan watches in envy from above.

Satan delivers an envious soliloquy about Adam and Eve's happiness, resolves to use the forbidden tree as his instrument of ruin, and disguises himself among the animals to observe them more closely.

Adam invites Eve to rest; Eve praises the beauty of all creation but finds nothing sweet without Adam; they pray together and retire to their bower, where Milton celebrates wedded love.

Gabriel dispatches Ithuriel and Zephon who find Satan crouching at Eve's ear; they bring him before Gabriel, who confronts him; God's scales reveal Satan's weakness and he flees into the night.