An unity of purpose might make union
In elements which seem now jarred in storms.
How came ye, being Spirits wise and infinite, 380
To separate? Are ye not as brethren in
Your essence--and your nature, and your glory?

_Lucifer_. Art not thou Abel's brother?

_Cain_. We are brethren,
And so we shall remain; but were it not so,
Is spirit like to flesh? can it fall out--
Infinity with Immortality?
Jarring and turning space to misery--
For what?

_Lucifer_. To reign.

_Cain_. Did ye not tell me that
Ye are both eternal?

_Lucifer_. Yea!

_Cain_. And what I have seen--
Yon blue immensity, is boundless?

_Lucifer_. Aye. 390
_Cain_. And cannot ye both _reign_, then?--is there not
Enough?--why should ye differ?

_Lucifer_. We _both_ reign.

_Cain_. But one of you makes evil.

_Lucifer_. Which?

_Cain_. Thou! for
If thou canst do man good, why dost thou not?

_Lucifer_. And why not he who made? _I_ made ye not;
Ye are _his_ creatures, and not mine.

_Cain_. Then leave us
_His_ creatures, as thou say'st we are, or show me
Thy dwelling, or _his_ dwelling.

_Lucifer_. I could show thee
Both; but the time will come thou shalt see one
Of them for evermore.[120]

_Cain_. And why not now? 400

_Lucifer_. Thy human mind hath scarcely grasp to gather
The little I have shown thee into calm
And clear thought: and _thou_ wouldst go on aspiring
To the great double Mysteries! the _two Principles_![121]
And gaze upon them on their secret thrones!
Dust! limit thy ambition; for to see
Either of these would be for thee to perish!

_Cain_. And let me perish, so I see them!

_Lucifer_. There
The son of her who snatched the apple spake!
But thou wouldst only perish, and not see them; 410
That sight is for the other state.

_Cain_. Of Death?

_Lucifer_. That is the prelude.

_Cain_. Then I dread it less,
Now