CAIN AND ABEL.

"The day declines; with sober step

Pale evening comes; and every eye that saw
The cheerful morn, and glistened at the sight,
Looks westward now, where sits the god of day
Upon his burning throne; the glowing clouds
Encircling him with hues no pencil dares
To emulate."

CARRINGTON's "Banks of Tamer."

"These two are brethren, Adam, and to come
Out of thy loins: th' unjust the just hath slain,
For envy that his brother's offering found
From Heav'n acceptance: but the bloody fact
Will be aveng'd, and th' other's faith approved,
Lose no reward, though here thou see him die,
Rolling in dust and gore."

MILTON.

CAIN AND ABEL.

"And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."-Gen. iv. 8.

THE

SCENE I.

An Open Country.-Sunset.

CAIN.

sun looks out betwixt the golden clouds,

That curtain his pavilion, on the top

Of yon proud mountain, clad in purple light.
There is a laughing glory in his eye,

That seems to tell he joys his toil is done,
And gladly sinks to rest. As to a god,
Valley, and hill, and forest, grove and plain
To him the richest incense offer up

Of fragrant herbs, and fruits, and bloomy flowers:

The earth is one grand altar, and the skies,

The canopy of his great temple, decked

With radiant colours inexpressible.

What a wild swell of harmony ascends

Into mid-air! The birds, with fluttering wing,
Strain their love-tuned throats; waters and winds
Join their soft music, while from vine-clad caves
And hollow cliffs, voices of spirits fling
Melodious mockeries of the evening hymn,
That greets yon orb's departure.

O, I hate

These sounds of gladness! I had rather hear,
Amid some gloomy forest's sunless shades,
The owl's shrill screamings, and the lion's roar,
The hiss of horned serpents, and the cry
Of fierce hyænas prowling for their prey,
Than this soft melting minstrelsey of love
And happiness! Like thee, proud star of fire,
I too have ended this day's tedious toil,
And hasten to yon bower, my weary limbs
To bathe in dews of slumber. But for me
No song of joy is tuned, no sounds of love
Hail my returning :-tears and bitter taunts,
Upbraidings and reproofs, are all that I
Obtain from parents, sisters, brother, wife!
While they on Abel, who usurps my rights,
Lavish perpetual fondness. Still he spends
In slothfulness his days: at morningtide,
Seated upon the breezy mountain's brow
Beside his flocks, he views the sun ascend
In all its splendour, on a laughing world