Milton interjects his voice in the story, claiming that he must reassert the story’s focus on the fall. He again calls upon a muse to help him see but asks that his muse help him avoid tales of long battles and focus instead on the moral lesson. The narration then switches to Satan, who has waited out his eight days of banishment from Paradise. He travels back into Paradise as a mist then takes on the body of a beautiful serpent to track down Adam and Eve. Satan is again astounded by the beauty of Earth and jealous of Adam and Eve’s happy innocence. However, he is resolute in tempting them into sin to get revenge on God.

Meanwhile, Adam and Eve awake and get to their daily work. Eve suggests they separate so she can get more done. The request is unusual, and Adam is worried that with the danger of Satan lurking, separation will lead them into more trouble. Eve insists, and Adam gives in. Satan finds Eve alone and flatters her with compliments on her beauty. She asks the serpent how it is possible that he speaks, and he tells her he ate from the Tree of Knowledge, which has given him power, skill, and knowledge beyond belief.