Page:The poem-book of the Gael - Hull.djvu/70

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28
THE SALTAIR NA RANN
(The Serpent speaks)
"Though on the plain[1] you be equal, yourself and Adam, O Eve, you are not more intelligent, O gentle, pure one, than any of the beasts.
"However great be the host under you outside it is lamentable that you are without minds, like to any of the ignorant animals;thus you are under one law (with them).[2]
"Except as regards possessions only, your lordship has not been complete;since nothing of evil has been sent to you, the worse is your understanding.
"Great is the lack of wisdom; God is deceiving you:because it is of the one tree of good and evil, that you are not permitted to eat.
"For this purpose the brave tree was invented, in order that it should not be allowed you;that you should not have the intelligence to distinguish between good and evil.
"Do not hesitate, go to the tree, to test it as regards one apple;the discernment between good and evil will be as the High Prince instructed you."
  1. ↑ i.e. outside in the fields among the animals.
  2. ↑ i.e. on the same level with the beasts.
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