“O Teacher, some great mischief hath befallen To that meek man, who well had sacrificed: Is piety thus and pure devotion paid?”

To whom Michael thus, he also moved, replied: “These two are brethren, Adam, and to come Out of thy loins. The unjust the just hath slain, For envy that his brother’s offering found From Heaven acceptance; but the bloody fact Will be avenged, and the other’s faith approved Lose no reward, though here thou see him die, Rolling in dust and gore.” To which our Sire:

“Alas, both for the deed and for the cause! But have I now seen Death? Is this the way I must return to native dust? O sight Of terror, foul and ugly to behold! Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!”