_Eve_ (_pointing to Cain_). _His will!_ the will of yon Incarnate Spirit Of Death, whom I have brought upon the earth 420 To strew it with the dead. May all the curses Of life be on him! and his agonies Drive him forth o'er the wilderness, like us From Eden, till his children do by him As he did by his brother! May the swords And wings of fiery Cherubim pursue him By day and night--snakes spring up in his path-- Earth's fruits be ashes in his mouth--the leaves On which he lays his head to sleep be strewed With scorpions! May his dreams be of his victim! 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!