Adah. Thou know'st What is that Even for our parents' error. Cain. To us? they sinn'd, then let them die! Adah. Thou has not spoken well, nor is that thought Thy own, but of the spirit who was with thee. And that our little rosy sleeper there Might never taste of death nor human sorrow, Nor hand it down to those who spring from him. Adah. How know we that some such atonement one day May not redeem our race? Cain. By sacrificing The harmless for the guilty? what atonement Were there? why, we are innocent: what have we Done, that we must be victims for a deed Before our birth, or need have victims to Atone for this mysterious, nameless sin— Adah. Alas! thou sinnest now, my Cain: thy words Sound impious in mine ears. Adah. Two altars, which our brother Abel made During thine absence, whereupon to offer A sacrifice to God on thy return. Cain. And how knew he, that I would be so ready With the burnt offerings, which he daily brings With a meek brow, whose base humility Shows more of fear than worship, as a bribe Adah. Adah. The fruits of the earth, the early, beautiful Given with a gentle and a contrite spirit. Cain. I have toil'd, and till'd, and sweaten in the sun According to the curse :-must I do more? For what should I be gentle? for a war With all the elements ere they will yield The bread we eat? For what must I be grateful? For being dust, and groveling in the dust, Till I return to dust? If I am nothing For nothing shall I be an hypocrite, And seem well-pleased with pain? For what should I The ages prophesied, upon our seed. Little deems our young blooming sleeper, there, The germs of an eternal misery To myriads is within him! better 'twere I snatch'd him in his sleep, and dash'd him 'gainst The rocks, than let him live to Adah. Oh, my God! Touch not the child-my child! thy child! Oh, Cain ! Which sways them, I would not accost yon infant Adah. Then, why so awful in thy speech? 'Twere better that he ceased to live, than give I said, 'Twere better that he never had been born. Adah. Oh, do not say so! Where were then the joys, The mother's joys of watching, nourishing, And loving him? Soft! he awakes. Sweet Enoch ! In the clear waters, when they are gentle, and Cain. Bless thee, boy! If that a mortal blessing may avail thee, Adah. Surely a father's blessing may avert A reptile's subtlety. Cain. Of that I doubt; But bless him ne'er the less. It shall. |