way the King of Heaven began to call for the keeper
of the [newly] created world; the mighty Lord bade
his son come to him forthwith. He answered him then, 865
the wretched one himself, destitute of clothing, [and]
said:

"Lord of my life, I am hiding myself here because
unclothed; basely sinful, I am covering my shame with
leaves: my pain is cruel, most bitter in my heart. I dare 870
not now go forth before thy presence: I am all naked!"




X.[10]


To him then God at once replied:

"Tell me this, my son: why do you seek the shadows,
in shame? You certainly received no disgrace at my 875
hands, but on the contrary delight in all things! How
come you to know evil and hide shame and behold sor-
row and cover your body with leaves and, saddened and
crushed by the woes of life, say that you need clothing,
unless you have tasted of an apple from the tree which 880
I forbade to you by express command?"

Adam then answered him again: