Genesis A+B: Part 5
…Nor did it seem suitable to the Guardian of the Skies
that Adam should be alone for long in Paradise-plain,
that recent creation, as its shepherd and keeper.
Therefore the High-King, the Lord Almighty,
produced a help for him—a woman wrought and a support given,
the Light’s-Origin of Life, to that beloved man. (169-75)
In this section of Genesis A, we read about how God created Eve. Just as in the Bible, God provides a help-mate. As it was not good for Adam to be alone.
I love how the poet calls the Garden of Eden, the Paradise Plain. It gives an extra flavour to the first home of humanity.
Light’s-Origin of Life is a strange phrase. It sounds like the poet is saying that God’s role for Eve is to be His vessel to bring human life to the Earth. Whereas Adam’s role is to be a shepherd and keeper, her role ensured the World is populated with people.
God pulled out some material from Adam’s body, and artfully extracted a rib from his side.
Adam was fast at rest, and sleeping softly, he knew neither pain, no deal of trouble,
Nor did there come any blood from the wound, but the Lord of Angels drew forth that burgeoning bone from his body, the man unwounded, and from that God created a beautiful woman. A spirit was formed inside her, a perpetual soul.
She was like an angel, and that Eve, Adam’s wife, was imbued with spirit. They were both brightly beautiful in their youth, brought forth into the world by the might of the Maker. They knew how to do nothing evil
nor how to accomplish it, but the love of the Lord was burning in both their breasts. (176-91)
I love the description of God’s surgery, where Adam is unwound to produce Eve. Much like how Christ was ‘unwound’ on the Cross to give life to His Church.
The poet writes that in their pre-fallen state, Adam and Eve’s lives where driven by love for their Creator. The goal of every Christian.