Both them who sinned and sinned not, as an ill—
What ill?
Lucifer. To be resolved into the earth.
Cain. But shall I know it?
Lucifer.As I know not death,
I cannot answer.[1]
Cain.Were I quiet earth,290
That were no evil: would I ne'er had been
Aught else but dust!
Lucifer.That is a grovelling wish,
Less than thy father's–for he wished to know!
Cain. But not to live—or wherefore plucked he not
The Life-tree?
Lucifer. He was hindered.
Cain.Deadly error!
Not to snatch first that fruit:—but ere he plucked
The knowledge, he was ignorant of Death.
Alas! I scarcely now know what it is.
And yet I fear it—fear I know not what!
Lucifer. And I, who know all things, fear nothing; see300
What is true knowledge.
Cain.Wilt thou teach me all?
Lucifer. Aye, upon one condition.
Cain.Name it.
Lucifer.That
Thou dost fall down and worship me—thy Lord.
Cain. Thou art not the Lord my father worships.
Lucifer.No.
Cain. His equal?
Lucifer.No;—I have nought in common with him!
Nor would: I would be aught above—beneath—
Aught save a sharer or a servant of
His power. I dwell apart; but I am great:—
Many there are who worship me, and more
Who shall—be thou amongst the first.
- ↑ [Compare—
"If, as thou sayst thine essence be as ours,
We have replied in telling thee, the thing
Mortals call Death hath nought to do with us."
Manfred, act i. sc. i, lines 161–163, Poetical Works, 1901, iv. 90.]
