t,
Not being omnipotent, nor fit to judge
Omnipotence--but merely to endure
Its mandate; which thus far I have endured.

[_The fire upon the altar of_ ABEL _kindles into a column
of the brightest flame, and ascends to heaven;
while a whirlwind throws down the altar of_
CAIN, _and scatters the fruits abroad
upon the earths_[131]

_Abel_ (_kneeling_).
Oh, brother, pray! Jehovah's wroth with thee. 280

_Cain_. Why so?

_Abel_. Thy fruits are scattered on the earth.

_Cain_. From earth they came, to earth let them return;
Their seed will bear fresh fruit there ere the summer:
Thy burnt flesh-offering prospers better; see
How Heaven licks up the flames, when thick with blood!

_Abel_. Think not upon my offering's acceptance,
But make another of thine own--before
It is too late.

_Cain_. I will build no more altars,
Nor suffer any----

_Abel_ (_rising_). Cain! what meanest thou?

_Cain_. To cast down yon vile flatterer of the clouds, 290
The smoky harbinger of thy dull prayers--
Thine altar, with its blood of lambs and kids,
Which fed on milk, to be destroyed in blood.

_Abel_ (_opposing him_).
Thou shalt not:--add not impious works to impious
Words! let that altar stand--'tis hallowed now
By the immortal pleasure of Jehovah,
In his acceptance of the victims.

_Cain_. _His_!
_His pleasure!_ what was his high pleasure in
The fumes of scorching flesh and smoking blood,
To the pain of the bleating mothers, which 300
Still yearn for their dead offspring? or the pangs
Of the sad ignorant victims underneath
Thy pious knife? Give way! this bloody record
Shall not stand in the sun, to shame creation!

_Abel_. Brother, give back! thou shalt not touch my altar
With violence: if that thou wilt adopt it,
To try another sacrifice, 'tis thine.

_Cain_. Another sacrifice! Give way, or else
That sacrifice may be----

_Abel_. What mean'st thou?

_Cain_. Give--
Give way!--thy God loves blood!--then look to it:-- 310
Give way