“Cain.”
“Who yet lives?”
“Mighty in that glory which is his as the first-born of all the earth.”
“How looks he?”
“Noble, even as thyself, with twice thy stature, majestic; and upon his front supreme burns a star, inextinguishable, the covenant of mercy for that act of which I may no further speak.”
“The blood of Abel!”
Deep night overcame them suddenly, and swept past, as the rushing of a strong wind.
“My father!”
Then turned the maid and fled; in fleetness outstripping the garlanded beast which hastened to catch her steps, retreating, lighter than its own. And as, upon the plains of Arcady, Melanion did strive with Atalanta in the race, in king Jason’s time, so Ariel, pushed by a power that knows no let, followed quick upon love’s course, nor stayed, till he caught the frighted deer, full many a league removed, panting, upon a bed of violets which lay smiling in the sunlight where the forest opened charily to the sky.
“Oh, primest work of earth!”