I
scarcely
now know what it is,
And yet I fear it--fear I know not what!
And yet I fear it--fear I know not what!
Byron
But shall I know it?
_Lucifer_. As I know not death,
I cannot answer. [103]
_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; see 300
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_.
_Lucifer_. As I know not death,
I cannot answer. [103]
_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; see 300
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_.
