No More Learning

_Adam. _ And, so, thy cheeks have snatched
Scarlet to paleness, and thine eyes drink fast
Of glory from full cups, and thy moist lips
Seem trembling, both of them, with earnest doubts
Whether to utter words or only smile.

_Eve. _ Shall I be mother of the coming life?
Hear the steep generations, how they fall
Adown the visionary stairs of Time
Like supernatural thunders--far, yet near,--
Sowing their fiery echoes through the hills.
Am I a cloud to these--mother to these?

_Earth Spirits. _ And bringer of the curse upon all these.

[_EVE sinks down again. _

_Poet Voices passing. _
O we live, O we live--
And this life that we conceive
Is a noble thing and high,
Which we climb up loftily
To view God without a stain;
Till, recoiling where the shade is,
We retread our steps again,
And descend the gloomy Hades
To resume man's mortal pain.
Shall it be climbed in vain?

_Infant Voices passing. _
Rock us softly,
Lest it be all in vain.

_Love Voices passing.
_
O we live, O we live--
And this life we would retrieve,
Is a faithful thing apart
Which we love in, heart to heart,
Until one heart fitteth twain.
"Wilt thou be one with me? "
"I will be one with thee. "
"Ha, ha! --we love and live! "
Alas! ye love and die.
Shriek--who shall reply?
For is it not loved in vain?

_Infant Voices passing. _
Rock us softly,
Though it be all in vain.

_Aged Voices passing. _
O we live, O we live--
And this life we would survive,
Is a gloomy thing and brief,
Which, consummated in grief,
Leaveth ashes for all gain.
Is it not _all_ in vain?

_Infant Voices passing. _
Rock us softly,
Though it be _all_ in vain.