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iv PREFACE.
may be granted to him. The stream ceases : gathers together every
living creature that was in its midst ; and they all supplicate the angelic
host to join with them in beseeching God to forgive Adam (i 629-1 652).
Forgiveness is granted to Adam and to all his seed save the unrighteous
(1653-1660). When the Devil hears this, 'like a swan, in the shape of a
white angel,' he goes to Eve as she stands in the Tigris and gets her
to leave her penance, saying that he had been sent by God. They then
go to Adam, who at once recognises the Devil and reveals the deceit
to Eve ( 1 661-17 1 6). Eve falls half-dead on the ground, and reproaches
Lucifer (1717-1 756). Lucifer defends himself, repeating at length the
story of his expulsion from heaven for refusing to worship Adam (i757_
1872). He concludes by threatening vengeance to Adam and his de-
scendants (1873-1880). Adam then leaves the river and Lucifer departs
(1884). Adam and Eve then live alone for a year on grass, without
proper food, fire, house, music, or raiment ; drinking water from their
palms and eating the green herbs in the shadow of trees and in caverns
(1885-1896). Eve brings forth a beautiful boy, who at once proceeds
to cut grass for his father, and whom his father called Cain (1897-1910).
God at last pities Adam and sends Michael to him with various seeds,
and Michael teaches him husbandry and the use of animals (1913-1932).
Seven years afterwards Eve brings forth Abel (1933). In a vision Eve
sees Cain drinking the blood of Abel. Adam therefore builds a house
for each of the brothers (1941-1956). Gabriel announces the murder
of Abel and foretells the birth of Seth (1957-1968). Adam's seventy
sons and seventy daughters are born to him after the transgression
(1969). The signs set in Cain's forehead (1997-2000). Cain's death
in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is thenceforward barren (2005).
XII. Adam's death. Adam, being 930 years old and feeling his
death at hand, tells Eve of his approaching end (2021-2032). Eve
regrets that she does not die first (2033-2037). Adam comforts her
by saying she will die in nine months, and tells her how to act after
his death (2040-2076). Michael comes at Eve's entreaty to cleanse
Adam's soul and take it to heaven (2077-2152). God comes to receive
Adam's soul, which remains in the third heaven, named Ficconicia
(2153-2208), till the Resurrection. Adam's body is anointed with the
Oil of Mercy and buried in Hebron (2217-2228), where it remained