The Works of Lord Byron Volume V Part 58

_Lucifer_. And heart to look on?

_Cain_. Be it proved.

_Lucifer_. Darest thou look on Death?

_Cain_. He has not yet 250 Been seen.

_Lucifer_. But must be undergone.

_Cain_. My father Says he is something dreadful, and my mother Weeps when he's named; and Abel lifts his eyes To Heaven, and Zillah casts hers to the earth, And sighs a prayer; and Adah looks on me, And speaks not.

_Lucifer_. And thou?

_Cain_. Thoughts unspeakable Crowd in my breast to burning, when I hear Of this almighty Death, who is, it seems, Inevitable. Could I wrestle with him?

I wrestled with the lion, when a boy, 260 In play, till he ran roaring from my gripe.

_Lucifer_. It has no shape; but will absorb all things That bear the form of earth-born being.

_Cain_. Ah!

I thought it was a being: who could do Such evil things to beings save a being?

_Lucifer_. Ask the Destroyer.

_Cain_. Who?

_Lucifer_. The Maker--Call him Which name thou wilt: he makes but to destroy.

_Cain_. I knew not that, yet thought it, since I heard Of Death: although I know not what it is-- Yet it seems horrible. I have looked out 270 In the vast desolate night in search of him; And when I saw gigantic shadows in The umbrage of the walls of Eden, chequered By the far-flas.h.i.+ng of the Cherubs' swords, I watched for what I thought his coming; for With fear rose longing in my heart to know What 'twas which shook us all--but nothing came.

And then I turned my weary eyes from off Our native and forbidden Paradise, Up to the lights above us, in the azure, 280 Which are so beautiful: shall they, too, die?

_Lucifer_. Perhaps--but long outlive both thine and thee.

_Cain_. I'm glad of that: I would not have them die-- They are so lovely. What is Death? I fear, I feel, it is a dreadful thing; but what, I cannot compa.s.s: 'tis denounced against us, Both them who sinned and sinned not, as an ill-- What ill?

_Lucifer_. To be resolved into the earth.

_Cain_. But shall I know it?

_Lucifer_. As I know not death, I cannot answer.[103]

_Cain_. Were I quiet earth, 290 That were no evil: would I ne'er had been Aught else but dust!

_Lucifer_. That is a _grovelling_ wish, Less than thy father's--for he wished to know!

_Cain_. But not to live--or wherefore plucked he not The Life-tree?

_Lucifer_. He was hindered.

_Cain_. Deadly error!

Not to s.n.a.t.c.h first that fruit:--but ere he plucked The knowledge, he was ignorant of Death.

Alas! I scarcely now know what it is, And yet I fear it--fear I know not what!

_Lucifer_. And I, who know all things, fear nothing; see 300 What is true knowledge.

_Cain_. Wilt thou teach me all?

_Lucifer_. Aye, upon one condition.

_Cain_. Name it.

_Lucifer_. That Thou dost fall down and wors.h.i.+p me--thy Lord.

_Cain_. Thou art not the Lord my father wors.h.i.+ps.

_Lucifer_. No.

_Cain_. His equal?

_Lucifer_. No;--I have nought in common with him!

Nor would: I would be aught above--beneath-- Aught save a sharer or a servant of His power. I dwell apart; but I am great:-- Many there are who wors.h.i.+p me, and more Who shall--be thou amongst the first.

_Cain_. I never 310 As yet have bowed unto my father's G.o.d.

Although my brother Abel oft implores That I would join with him in sacrifice:-- Why should I bow to thee?

_Lucifer_. Hast thou ne'er bowed To him?

_Cain_. Have I not said it?--need I say it?

Could not thy mighty knowledge teach thee that?

_Lucifer_. He who bows not to him has bowed to me.[104]

_Cain_. But I will bend to neither.

_Lucifer_. Ne'er the less, Thou art my wors.h.i.+pper; not wors.h.i.+pping Him makes thee mine the same.

_Cain_. And what is that? 320

_Lucifer_. Thou'lt know here--and hereafter.

_Cain_. Let me but Be taught the mystery of my being.

_Lucifer_. Follow Where I will lead thee.

_Cain_. But I must retire To till the earth--for I had promised----

_Lucifer_. What?

_Cain_. To cull some first-fruits.