For me-compose thy limbs into their grave 540 The first grave yet dug for mortality. But who hath dug that grave? Oh, earth! Oh, earth! For all the fruits thou hast rendered to me, I Give thee back this.-Now for the wilderness ! [ADAH stoops down and kisses the body of ABEL. Adah. A dreary, and an early doom, my brother, Has been thy lot! Of all who mourn for thee, I alone must not weep. My office is Henceforth to dry up tears, and not to shed them; But yet of all who mourn, none mourn like me, Not only for thyself, but him who slew thee. Now, Cain! I will divide thy burden with thee. Cain. Eastward from Eden will we take our way; 'Tis the most desolate, and suits my steps. 550 Adah. Lead! thou shalt be my guide, and may our Be thine! Now let us carry forth our children. Which might have graced his recent marriage couch, O Abel! Adah. Peace be with him! 560 But with me! [Exeunt. HEAVEN AND EARTH; A MYSTERY. FOUNDED ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE IN Genesis, Chap. VI. I, 2. "And it came to pass. . . that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." "And woman wailing for her demon lover." Coleridge [Kubla Khan, line 16]. HEAVEN AND EARTH; A MYSTERY. FOUNDED ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE IN GENESIS, CHAP. VI. 1, 2. "And it came to pass... that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." "And woman wailing for her demon lover." Coleridge [Kubla Khan, line 16]. |