In the same space on the left God is seen
turning to create the trees and plants of the earth, painted with such art
that wherever you turn He appears to turn away also, showing the whole of
the back down to the soles of His feet--a thing most beautiful, and which
shows what may be done by foreshortening. In the third space the great God
appears in the heavens, again with a company of angels, looking upon the
waters and commanding them to bring forth all those forms of life
nourished in that element, just as in the second He commands the earth. In
the fourth is the creation of Man. God is seen with arm and hand stretched
forth as if giving His commandments to Adam, what to do and what not to
do; with His other arm He draws His angels about Him. In the fifth is how
He drew woman from the side of Adam. She comes forth with her hands
joined, raising them in prayer towards God, bending with gracious mien and
offering thanks as He blesses her. In the sixth is how the Devil tempted
man. From the middle upwards the wicked one is of human form, and the rest
of him like unto a serpent, his legs transformed into tails winding around
a tree. He seems to reason with the man and persuade him to act contrary
to the commands of his Creator, and he offers the forbidden apple to the
woman. On the other side of the space the two are seen driven forth by the
angel, terrified and weeping, flying from the face of God. In the seventh
is the sacrifice of Abel and of Cain;(40) the one grateful to and accepted
by God, the other hateful and refused.
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