, ere he hath _more_!

_Abel_. In _his_ great name,
I stand between thee and the shrine which hath
Had his acceptance.

_Cain_. If thou lov'st thyself,
Stand back till I have strewed this turf along
Its native soil:--else----

_Abel_ (_opposing him_). I love God far more
Than life.

_Cain_ (_striking him with a brand, on the temples, which
he snatches from the altar_). Then take thy life unto thy God,
Since he loves lives.

_Abel_ (_falls_). What hast thou done--my brother?

_Cain_. Brother!

_Abel_. Oh, God! receive thy servant! and
Forgive his slayer, for he knew not what
He did--Cain, give me--give me thy hand; and tell 320
Poor Zillah--

_Cain_ (_after a moment's stupefaction_).
_My_ hand! 'tis all red, and with----
What? [_A long pause.--Looking slowly round_.
Where am I? alone! Where's Abel? where
Cain? Can it be that I am he? My brother,
Awake!--why liest thou so long on the green earth?
'Tis not the hour of slumber:--why so pale?
What hast thou!--thou wert full of life this morn!
Abel! I pray thee, mock me not! I smote
Too fiercely, but not fatally. Ah, why
Wouldst thou oppose me? This is mockery;
And only done to daunt me:--'twas a blow-- 330
And but a blow. Stir--stir--nay, only stir!
Why, so--that's well!--thou breathest! breathe upon me!
Oh God! Oh God!

_Abel_ (_very faintly_). What's he who speaks of God?

_Cain_. Thy murderer.

_Abel_. Then may God forgive him! Cain,
Comfort poor Zillah:--she has but one brother
Now. [ABEL _dies_.

_Cain_. And I none!--Who makes me brotherless?
His eyes are open! then he is not dead!
Death is like sleep[132]; and sleep shuts down our lids.
His lips, too, are apart; why then he breathes;
And yet I feel it not.--His heart!--his heart!-- 340
Let me see, doth it beat? methinks----No!--no!
This is a vision, else I am become
The native of another and worse world.
The earth swims round me:--what is this?--'tis wet;
[_Puts his hand to his brow, and then looks at it_.
And yet there are no dews! 'Tis blood--my blood--
My brother's and my ow