To comfort her, the angel bids her dry her tears and follow her husband, making her home wherever he abides.

Then Adam wonders whether by incessant prayer and penitence the Almighty could be induced to alter his decree and let them remain in Paradise, saying he hoped to point out to his descendants the places where he met and conversed with his Maker.

But Michael rejoining he will find God everywhere invites Adam to follow him to the top of a neighboring hill, explaining he has enveloped Eve in slumbers, which will hold her entranced while he reveals to Adam the earth's kingdoms and their glory.
"Know I am sent To show thee what shall come in future days To thee and to thy offspring; good with bad Expect to hear, supernal grace contending With sinfulness of men; thereby to learn True patience, and to temper joy with fear, And pious sorrow, equally inured By moderation either state to bear, Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead Safest thy life, and best prepared endure Thy mortal passage when it comes.

Ascend This hill; let Eve (for I have drenched her eyes) Here sleep below, while thou to foresight wakest.
As once thou slept'st, while she to life was formed." From a hill in Paradise,--after purging Adam's eyes with three drops of water from the well of life,--Michael vouchsafes him a glimpse of all that is to take place upon our earth.

Thus, Cain and Abel first pass before their father's eyes, but death is so unintelligible to Adam that the angel has to explain what it means.