ARGUMENT ΤΟ BOOK III. Conversation of Abel and Thirza-Conversation of Cain and Mehala-Anamelech-His Journey to the Earth-His Soliloquy-He pitches upon Cain as a fit Instrument for the Execution of his horrid Designs-Adam's Illness-His Address to his Family-Affliction of Eve-Abel's Prayer-He receives from an Angel Flowers and Herbs with Directions how to use them for the relief of his Father-Envy of Cain-Adam returns Thanks to the Almighty for his Recovery-Cain and Abel offer Sacrifices on the Occasion-Soliloquy of Cain. 2 BOOK III. THEY now left the bower. Abel tenderly embraced his brother, and each pair pursued their moon-light way to their respective habitations. "What pleasure fills my soul !" exclaimed Abel, embracing his beloved; " my brother, my dear brother, is no longer estranged from me he will love me! With what delight I beheld the tears which to day bedewed his cheeks! No, not so grateful are the dews of the spring to the flowers, as those tears were to me. The storm which raged within his bosom is calmed; tranquility and joy are restored to us. Thou who, with infinite benignity, watchedst over the first of men, while they were the solitary inhabitants of the spacious earth, O chase from his bosom every Conversation of Cain and Mehala. tumultuous passion, that they may never resume their empire in his soul!" Thirza embraced him; soft rapture beamed from her countenance; "The gentle rain," said she," is not so refreshing to the parched fields, nor was the return of spring after the first melancholy winter so delightful to the lonely inhabitants of the earth, as were to me the tears of our brother's returning love! O blissful hour! Youth and gaiety again sit on our parents' brows; every bosom is filled with delight and joy. O blessed moment! Nature seems to glow with more than usual beauty; and thy beams, thou silent moon, are to me more soft and soothing!" Thus did she pour forth the effusions of her joy. In the mean time Cain, accompanied by his Mehala, proceeded towards his hut. She gazed on him with tenderness, pressed his hand to her lips, and said: "What gloom, my beloved, overspreads thy brow? Cannot the tranquillity restored to thy bosom impart serenity to thine eyes, and cheerfulness to thy Conversation of Cain and Mehala. countenance? It is true thy firmer mind has ever been more reserved in the expression of thy pleasures which thy heart enjoys in silence. But, what joy played on every cheek, what rapture beamed from every eye, when thou, my beloved, with fraternal affection, embracedst thy brother, when the Almighty blessed thee from his eternal throne, and hovering angels shed tears of transport around us! Suffer me, my beloved, by the tender affection that glows within my breast, by the soft rapture that overflows my heart, suffer me to press thee to my bosom !" She said and pressed him with fervor to her throbbing breast. Cain returned her embrace, and said: "I am offended-yes, I am displeased at your excessive joy. Does it not seem to say to me : 'Cain is amended; hitherto he has been a *The poet could not more impressively or more strongly have described the rugged and unbending disposition of Cain than by the concluding words of Mehala's address. Before she begins to speak, she only ventures to press his hand to her lips; and at length, in the most pathetic manner, im-, plores permission to embrace him,-a favor which we may rationally conclude had often been denied her, T. A |