Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 5.djvu/243

Rh Each to his task of toil—not heavy, though Needful: the earth is young, and yields us kindly Her fruits with little labour.
 * Eve.Cain—my son—

Behold thy father cheerful and resigned— And do as he doth. [Exeunt and.
 * Zillah. Wilt thou not, my brother?
 * Abel. Why wilt thou wear this gloom upon thy brow,

Which can avail thee nothing, save to rouse The Eternal anger?
 * Adah. My belovéd Cain

Wilt thou frown even on me ?
 * Cain.No, Adah! no;

I fain would be alone a little while. Abel, I'm sick at heart; but it will pass; Precede me, brother—I will follow shortly. And you, too, sisters, tarry not behind; Your gentleness must not be harshly met: I'll follow you anon.
 * Adah.If not, I will

Return to seek you here.
 * Abel.The peace of God

Be on your spirit, brother! [Exeunt,, and.
 * Cain. (solus). And this is

Life?—Toil! and wherefore should I toil?—because My father could not keep his place in Eden ? What had I done in this?—I was unborn: I sought not to be born; nor love the state To which that birth has brought me. Why did he Yield to the Serpent and the woman? or Yielding—why suffer? What was there in this? The tree was planted, and why not for him? If not, why place him near it, where it grew The fairest in the centre? They have but One answer to all questions, "'Twas his will, And he is good." How know I that? Because He is all-powerful, must all-good, too, follow? I judge but by the fruits—and they are bitter— Which I must feed on for a fault not mine. Whom have we here?—A shape like to the angels