- Title: Adam Hearing the Voice of the Almighty
- Author: John Martin
- Date: 1824-26
- Medium: Mezzotint
- Condition: Excellent
- Inches: 11 x 7 1/2 [Image]
- Centimeters: 27.94 x 19.05 [Image]
- Product ID: 100282
From The Paradise Lost of John Milton (pub. 1846), Book 10, Line 108
Adam and Eve have eaten from the forbidden tree; realizing their nakedness, they cover themselves in shame, hiding themselves from the eyes of God. God, noticing their absence, goes to meet the two, calling for them to reveal themselves. Adam answers, admitting to the Almighty that he and Eve have disobeyed by partaking in the forbidden fruit.
"Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to meet
My coming seen far off? I miss thee here,
Not pleas'd, thus entertaind with solitude,
Where obvious dutie erewhile appear'd unsaught:
Or come I less conspicuous, or what change
Absents thee, or what chance detains? Come forth.
He came, and with him Eve, more loth, though first
To offend, discount'nanc't both, and discompos'd;
Love was not in thir looks, either to God
Or to each other, but apparent guilt,
And shame, and perturbation, and despaire,
Anger, and obstinacie, and hate, and guile.
Whence Adam faultring long, thus answer'd brief.
I heard thee in the Garden, and of thy voice
Affraid, being naked, hid my self. To whom
The gracious Judge without revile repli'd.
My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd,
But still rejoyc't, how is it now become
So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who
Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the Tree
Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?" (Paradise Lost X.104-23)