Classic Poem

Scene IX.

EARTH — THE PATRIARCH'S TENT.

A DAM , Eve , Z ILLAH .

ADAM .

Another day is done, our labours closed;
By our brows' sweat have we earned daily bread.
Lo, here upon this grassy altar-place,
We offer up our thankfulness to Thee,
Sole giver of the day, and light, and life,
Sin-forfeited, yet given to see thy will
Fulfilled upon our children as ourselves,
Till, chastened, we re-enter Paradise.
Almighty! merciful thou art as just:
Here let our trials end; our sons are lost;
Our daughter, staff of our declining years,
Is gone from us; we bear beyond our strength.
If new ills gather, and us or we sink!
Bind us in love, for union is our strength,
But let our faith be pillared but on thee.

EVE .

Father and Lord! to whom may the oppressed
And wounded flee, save unto thee? thou know'st
Our heart-aches and repentance, thou wilt hear
Our prayers and give us fortitude to bear
Evil to come. Thou hast heard me, O God!
I know it by my contrite heart subdued.
Father and Helper! thou wilt strengthen her,
Inheriting our woes, but not our guilt,
Ada, who even now doth track the steps
Of Abel's murderer. Let thy blessing fall,
Dew-like on her meek head! lead her to us,
That we may see and bless her ere we die.

ZILLAH .

And, Lord of Mercy! is it sin, — my heart
Falters as I dare ask it, — is it sin
To pray for him, the wandering fratricide?
For he, too, once was innocent of blood.
Is not his burden heavy? shall it be
Made heavier with our curses? how may we,
So full of sin, dare hope forgiveness,
Wanting that gentle attribute ourselves,
And for our kindred, yea, our brother sole?
Open his eyes, O Father! make him see
The greatness of his crime, and feel remorse,
But not despair. His life the atonement made,
And his heart purified and chastened, let him,
Owning his fault, be pardoned in his death.

EVE .

Pleadest thou thus for Abel's murderer?

ADAM .

Didst thou not, Eve, erewhile ask mercy? wilt
Thou rise from earth, denying it to — hark!

EVE .

The unsettled steps of Enoch —

ENOCH .

Help! — my mother.

ADAM .

Our Ada is returned

EVE /

Haste, bear her in —

ADAM .

I lead her to thee. Eve! behold thy daughter

ADA .


My father! it is in vain, my days are done;
Few have they been, and fewer still of joy.
I feel that I am dying; here, my heart —

EVE .

Almighty! dost thou look on this?

ADAM

My Eve!
Be stilled.

ADA .

You drove him forth to greater sin,
When he had else repented; if he come,
Accept him, as you hope acceptance — this,
For Ada's sake, who craved it dying; think
How she loved him who slew her brother; tell him
I sleep by Abel, when his hour is done,
He will rest by me. Mother! I am quiet.

EVE .

Another slain — only the innocent taken!
Only those doomed to die who ought to live;
While we who brought death in the world are cursed
With life to watch the ruin we have made!
What have I not heard, seen, felt, borne, yet live?
The voice of God arraigning, driven from Eden,
Bringing forth children in our misery,
Mother of want, and discontent, and guilt!
Why live I? — what is this detested life
But an enduring grief, beholding things
More terrible than death, for that is sleep.
Oh, would to God I were like thee, my child,
Lying in peace upon that stony ground!
But I am stamped with life to feel myself
The motherless wretch I am! to die at last
Hopeless as childless — sinking to my grave
In my despair, unpardoned and alone!

ADAM .

Woman, have faith! check this wild passion, Eve,
That doth convulse thy frail life, and in vain!
Rend not thy hair! believe in God, and read
Herein his will. He takes the innocent,
Too pure to dwell here with the guilty; we
The chastened are, she gathered to his rest.
Beloved Eve! confide thou in the Lord:
Grateful erewhile wast thou for strength from him,
Use it, or pray for more; but know this truth,
His will is wisdom. Let us bear her, Enoch,
Within the tent; there let us weep together.