So each living man the life eternal Seeks for himself after sorest cares; That through the darksome door of death he may find The goodly grace of God and enjoy 385 Forever and aye unending bliss As reward for his work-- the wonders of heaven. The nature of this fowl is not unlike That of those chosen as children of God, And it shows men a sign of how sacred joys 390 Granted by God they may gain in trial-- Hold beneath the heavens through his holy grace, And abide in rapture in the realms above. We have found that the faithful Father created Man and woman through his wondrous might. 395 At first in the fairest fields of his earth He set these sons on a soil unblemished, In a pleasant place, Paradise named, Since they lacked no delight as long as the pair Wisely heeded the Holy word 400 In their new home. There hatred came, The old foe's envy, who offered them food, The fruit of the tree, which in folly they tried; Both ate of the apple against the order of God, Tasted the forbidden. Then bitter became 405 Their woe after eating and for their heirs as well-- For sons and daughters a sorrowful feast. Grievously were punished their greedy teeth For that greatest of guilt; God's wrath they knew And bitter remorse; hence bearing their crimes, 410 Their sons must suffer for the sin of their parents Against God's commands. Hence, grieved in soul They shall lose the delights of the land of bliss Through envy of the serpent who deceived our elders In direful wise in days of yore 415 Through his wicked heart, so that they went far hence To the dale of death to doleful life In a sorrowful home. Hidden from them Was the blessed life; and the blissful plain, By the fiend's cunning, was fastened close 420 For many winters, till the Maker of wonders, The King of mankind, Comforter of the weary, Our only Hope, hither came down To the godly band and again held it open. VII