430
His waking a continual dread of Death!
May the clear rivers turn to blood as he[133]
Stoops down to stain them with his raging lip!
May every element shun or change to him!
May he live in the pangs which others die with!
And Death itself wax something worse than Death
To him who first acquainted him with man!
Hence, fratricide! henceforth that word is _Cain_,
Through all the coming myriads of mankind,
Who shall abhor thee, though thou wert their sire! 440
May the grass wither from thy feet! the woods
Deny thee shelter! earth a home! the dust
A grave! the sun his light! and heaven her God[134]!
[_Exit_ EVE.

_Adam_. Cain! get thee forth: we dwell no more together.
Depart! and leave the dead to me--I am
Henceforth alone--we never must meet more.

_Adah_. Oh, part not with him thus, my father: do not
Add thy deep curse to Eve's upon his head!

_Adam_. I curse him not: his spirit be his curse.
Come, Zillah!

_Zillah_. I must watch my husband's corse[135]. 450

_Adam_. We will return again, when he is gone
Who hath provided for us this dread office.
Come, Zillah!

_Zillah_. Yet one kiss on yon pale clay,
And those lips once so warm--my heart! my heart!
[_Exeunt_ ADAM _and_ ZILLAH _weeping_.

_Adah_. Cain! thou hast heard, we must go forth. I am ready,
So shall our children be. I will bear Enoch,
And you his sister. Ere the sun declines
Let us depart, nor walk the wilderness
Under the cloud of night.--Nay, speak to me.
To _me--thine own_.

_Cain_. Leave me!

_Adah_. Why, all have left thee. 460

_Cain_. And wherefore lingerest thou? Dost thou not fear
To dwell with one who hath done this?

_Adah_. I fear
Nothing except to leave thee, much as I
Shrink from the deed which leaves thee brotherless.
I must not speak of this--it is between thee
And the great God.

_A Voice from within exclaims_. Cain! Cain!

_Adah_. Hear'st thou that voice?

_The Voice within_. Cain! Cain!

_Adah_. It soundeth like an angel's tone.

_Enter the_ ANGEL _of the Lord_.[136]