CAIN. The mind then hath capacity of time, And measures it by that which it beholds, Of endless beings; skirr'd extinguish'd worlds; I had borrow'd more by a few drops of ages With making us the nothing which we are; It back to dust again-for what? ADAH. Even for our parents' error. Thou know'st 5. CAIN. What is that To us? they sinn'd, then let them die! ADAH. Thou hast not spoken well, nor is that thought Thy own, but of the spirit who was with thee. Would I could die for them, so they might live! CAIN. Why, so say I-provided that one victim Might satiate the insatiable of life, And that our little rosy sleeper there Might never taste of death nor human sorrow, Nor hand it down to those who spring from him. ADAH. How know we that some such atonement one day May not redeem our race? CAIN. By sacrificing The harmless for the guilty? what atonement Were there? why, we are innocent: what have we ADAH. Alas! thou sinnest now my Cain; thy words Sound impious in mine ears. CAIN. Then leave me! ADAH. Never, Though thy God left thee. CAIN. Say, what have we here? ADAH. Two altars, which our brother Abel made CAIN. And how knew he, that I would be so ready To the Creator? ADAH. Surely, 'tis well done. CAIN. One altar may suffice; I have no offering. ADAH. The fruits of the earth, the early, beautiful Blossom and bud, and bloom of flowers, and fruits; These are a goodly offering to the Lord, Given with a gentle and a contrite spirit. CAIN. I have toil'd, and till'd, and sweaten in the sun For what should I be gentle? for a war The bread we eat? For what must I be grateful? Till I return to dust? If I am nothing— should I For what Be contrite? for my father's sin, already The ages prophesied, upon our seed. Little deems our young blooming sleeper, there, To myriads is within him! better 'twere I snatch'd him in his sleep, and dash'd him 'gainst The rocks, than let him live to- ADAH. Oh, my God! Touch not the child-my child! thy child! Oh Cain ! CAIN. Fear not! for all the stars, and all the power Which sways them, I would not accost yon infant With ruder greeting than a father's kiss. 'Twere better that he ceased to live, than give Endure, and, harder still, bequeath; but since ADAH. Oh, do not say so! Where were then the joys, [She goes to the child. Oh Cain! look on him; see how full of life, Of strength, of bloom, of beauty, and of joy, |