beings save a being?

_Lucifer_. Ask the Destroyer.

_Cain_. Who?

_Lucifer_. The Maker--Call him
Which name thou wilt: he makes but to destroy.

_Cain_. I knew not that, yet thought it, since I heard
Of Death: although I know not what it is--
Yet it seems horrible. I have looked out 270
In the vast desolate night in search of him;
And when I saw gigantic shadows in
The umbrage of the walls of Eden, chequered
By the far-flashing of the Cherubs' swords,
I watched for what I thought his coming; for
With fear rose longing in my heart to know
What 'twas which shook us all--but nothing came.
And then I turned my weary eyes from off
Our native and forbidden Paradise,
Up to the lights above us, in the azure, 280
Which are so beautiful: shall they, too, die?

_Lucifer_. Perhaps--but long outlive both thine and thee.

_Cain_. I'm glad of that: I would not have them die--
They are so lovely. What is Death? I fear,
I feel, it is a dreadful thing; but what,
I cannot compass: 'tis denounced against us,
Both them who sinned and sinned not, as an ill--
What ill?

_Lucifer_. To be resolved into the earth.

_Cain_. But shall I know it?

_Lucifer_. As I know not death,
I cannot answer.[103]

_Cain_. Were I quiet earth, 290
That were no evil: would I ne'er had been
Aught else but dust!

_Lucifer_. That is a _grovelling_ wish,
Less than thy father's--for he wished to know!

_Cain_. But not to live--or wherefore plucked he not
The Life-tree?

_Lucifer_. He was hindered.

_Cain_. Deadly error!
Not to snatch first that fruit:--but ere he plucked
The knowledge, he was ignorant of Death.
Alas! I scarcely now know what it is,
And yet I fear it--fear I know not what!

_Lucifer_. And I, who know all things, fear nothing; see 300
What is true knowledge.

_Cain_. Wilt thou teach me all?

_Lucifer_. Aye, upon one condition.

_Cain_. Name it.

_Lucifer_. That
Thou dost fall down and worship me--thy Lord.

_Cain_. Thou art not the Lord my father wors