_Lucifer._ Curse freely! curses thicken. Why, this Eve Who thought me once part worthy of her ear And somewhat wiser than the other beasts,-- Drawing together her large globes of eyes, The light of which is throbbing in and out Their steadfast continuity of gaze,-- Knots her fair eyebrows in so hard a knot, And down from her white heights of womanhood Looks on me so amazed,--I scarce should fear To wager such an apple as she plucked Against one riper from the tree of life, That she could curse too--as a woman may-- Smooth in the vowels. _Eve._ So--speak wickedly! I like it best so. Let thy words be wounds,-- For, so, I shall not fear thy power to hurt. Trench on the forms of good by open ill-- For, so, I shall wax strong and grand with scorn, Scorning myself for ever trusting thee As far as thinking, ere a snake ate dust, He could speak wisdom. _Lucifer._ Our new gods, it seems, Deal more in thunders than in courtesies. And, sooth, mine own Olympus, which anon I shall build up to loud-voiced imagery From all the wandering visions of the world, May show worse railing than our lady Eve Pours o'er the rounding of her argent arm. But why should this be? Adam pardoned Eve. _Adam._ Adam loved Eve. Jehovah pardon both! _Eve._ Adam forgave Eve--because loving Eve. _Lucifer._ So, well. Yet Adam was undone of Eve, As both were by the snake. Therefore forgive, In like wise, fellow-temptress, the poor snake-- Who stung there, not so poorly! [_Aside._ _Eve._ Hold thy wrath, Beloved Adam! let me answer him; For this time he speaks truth, which we should hear, And asks for mercy, which I most should grant, In like wise, as he tells us--in like wise! And therefore I thee pardon, Lucifer, As freely as the streams of Eden flowed When we were happy by them. So, depart; Leave us to walk the remnant of our time Out mildly in the desert. Do not seek To harm us any more or scoff at us, Or ere the dust be laid upon our face, To find there the communion of the dust And issue of the dust,--Go! _Adam._ At once, go! _Lucifer._ Forgive! and go! Ye images of clay, Shrunk somewhat in the mould,--what jest is this? What words are these to use? By what a thought Conceive ye of me? Yesterday--a snake! To-day--what? _Adam._ A strong spirit. _Eve._ A sad spirit. _Adam._ Perhaps a fallen angel.--Who shall say! _Lucifer._ Who told thee, Adam? _Adam._ Thou! The prodigy Of thy vast brows and melancholy eyes Which comprehend the heights of some great fall. I think that thou hast one day worn a crown Under the eyes of God. _Lucifer._ And why of God?