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William Cowper - Adam: A Sacred Drama. Act 2.
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Whom we call God, kindle his wrath against me
Having to you imparted 
Taste of this fruit against his high command.
But tell him, my desire
To make me lord of this inferior world,
Like man a god in heaven,
Rendered me mute while Eve attained the apple.

Eve.  The gift I owe thee, Serpent, well deserves
That I should ne`er forget thee.

Serpent.  Now in these verdant leaves I hide myself
Till thou with sounds of joy 
Shalt call and re-assure me. 

Eve.  Now then conceal thyself, I promise thee
To be thy shield against the wrath of God.
O what delicious odour! `tis so sweet
That I can well believe
That all the lovely flowers
From this derive their fragrance.
These dewy leaves to my conception seem
Moistened with manna, rather than with dew.
Ah, it was surely right
That fruit so exquisite
Should flourish to impart new life to man,
Not waste its sweets upon the wind and sun.
Nothing for any ill
To man could spring from God`s creative hand:
Since he for man assuredly has felt 
Such warmth of love unbounded, I will taste it.
How sweet it is! how far 
Surpassing all the fruits of every kind,
Assembled in this soil!
But where is Adam now?  Oh, Adam! Adam!
He answers not; then thou with speed depart
To find him; but among these flowers and leaves
Conceal this lovely apple, lest the angels,
Descrying it, forbid.
Adam to taste its sweets,
And so from man be made a mighty God.

Serpent. Extinguish in the waves thy rays, O sun!
No more distribute life!
Thus Lucifer ordains, and thus the apple! 
Man, man is now subdued!

Vain Glory.  O joyous day!  O day
To Hell of triumph, and of shame to Heaven!
Eve has enjoyed the apple,
And now contrives that man may taste it too.
Now see by direst fate
Life is exchanged for death!
Now I exulting sing,
And hence depart with pride,
Since man`s high boast is crushed,
And his bright day now turned to hideous night!
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