THE EXPULSION FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us,to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, andtake also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:Therefore, the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden,to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out theman; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims,and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way ofthe tree of life.—Genesis iii, 22-24

They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise,so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand; thegate, With dreadful forces thronged, and fiery arms Some naturaltears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all beforethem, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence theirguide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, ThroughEden took their solitary way.

Paradise Lost, Book XII.