Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE UNLIKE CHILDREN OF EVE: HOW GOD THE LORD TALKS TO THEM, by HANS SACHS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE UNLIKE CHILDREN OF EVE: HOW GOD THE LORD TALKS TO THEM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Health and grace from god the lord
Last Line: With angels all, so prays hans sachs.
Subject(s): Abel; Cain


Act I

The Herald comes in, bows, and speaks:

Health and grace from God the Lord
Be to all who hear his Word,
Who come from far or come from near
This little comedy to hear,
Which first in Latin speech was done
By good Philipps Melanchthon;
And now I put in good plain speech
That so the commonfolk it reach:
And thus I go without delay
In brief the Argument to say.

When Adam out of Paradise
Was driven after God's device,
And set to labor in the field,
then God did of his mercy yield
And come to pay him a visit,
And trust and comfort him a bit;
And specially to better know
If obediently or not
His children feared their heavenly Lord
And rightly studied in his Word.

And so without more preparation
He came and held examination.
And when the Lord did Abel find
He and his lads quite pleased his mind.
And straightway blessed He him on earth
And all who from him should get birth.
But when thereafter did the Lord
His brother Cain see and his herd,
He found them all so stupid dumb
And godless that they ne'er might come
Into his favor, but must live
In hardest toil if they would thrive
At all, and at all times must be
Subject to Abel's mastery.
At this did Cain so angry get,
While Satan stirred still more his fit,
That out he went and Abel slew,
For nothing less his wrath let do.

And then to punish him God said
That wheresoe'er on earth he fled,
He ne'er should find a resting-place.
But when the angels by god's grace
Good Abel's body had interred
Then came to Adam and Eve the word
That Seth should in his place be born,
Whose death had left them all forlorn,
And comfort them in this world's pain,
And be through loss the greater gain,
And this you all shall straightway see
In speech and act conveniently.

Tomorrow will the Lord arrive
To look in and see how we thrive,
And give us pleasant holiday
And give us pleasant holiday
And leave his promise as I say.
He'll look around the house to find
If we do manage to his mind,
And teach the children as they need
To say their Bible and their Creed.
So wash the children well, and dress
Them up in all their comeliness,
And sweep the house and strew the floor
That it may give him sweet odor
When God the Lord, so morn begin
With his dear angels shall walk in.

Eve speaks

O Adam, my beloved man,
I will do all the best I can;
If God the Lord will but come down
And cheer the heart that fears his frown.
All praise to my Creator be
That so in mercy pityeth me.
Quick will I make the children clean,
And all the house fit to be seen
By him who comes by morrow's light,
That he may find it sweet and right.
And so his blessing deign to leave.
That so he'll do I hope and b'lieve.

Adam speaks

And where is Abel, my dear son?

Eve speaks

He out to feed the sheep is gone.
Pious he is and fears his God.
Obedient to his every nod,
And with him do his children go,
Who are obedient also.

Adam speaks

And where is Cain, our other son,
That wretch for whom the halter's spun?

Eve speaks

Oh, when of him I hopeless think,
Woeful in me my heart does sink,
Belial's child, he's always done
The part of disobedient son.
When gold to bring the wood from shed,
He cursed and out the house he fled;
And now with angry words and noise
Out in the street he fights the boys.
I can't endure him in the room:
Above him hangs each day his doom,
And with it I'm near overcome.

[Abel soon enters, and is asked by his mother to go and bring
in Cain from whom Abel fears violence. Encouraged by the
news that the Lord is coming to visit them, Abel promises to
go, and Adam thus closes the scene -- ]

Adam speaks

So in the house we now will go
And put it all in finest show
To please God and the angels dear.
Sweet shall it smell and wear good cheer
With wreaths of green and May bedeckt
For the high Guests we dare expect.

[They all go out.]

Act II
[This act represents Abel's interview with Cain; in which,
later, Adam and Eve both take part, urging him to come and
be washed and ready for the expected Visitor.]

Abel speaks

Cain, Cain, come quickly here with me,
that you by mother washed may be!

Cane speaks

That fellow got well washed by me!
And could they catch me now, you'd see
What for a washing they'd me give!

Abel speaks

In quarrel wilt thou always live!
I fear a murderer thou'lt grow!

Cain speaks

And if I should, I'd prove it so
On thee, thou miserable knave!

Abel speaks

Tomorrow to our house draws near
The Lord God with his angels dear;
So come and let yourself be dressed
To welcome him in all our best!

Cain speaks

The feast may go on high or low;
I care not for it, but will go
To play and with my comrades be
Who says that God will to us come?

Abel speaks

The mother just sent word from home.

Cain speaks

The Lord stay up there where he is!

Abel speaks

How can you blaspheme God that way!
That he will come do not we pray
And keep us safe from every ill?

Cain speaks

I too have prayed, when 'twas my will,
But never that he should come near.
I take the life God gave us here,
But leave eternity to him.
Who knows what all up there may be?

Abel speaks

How dar'st thou speak so godlessly!
Hast thou no fear of endless hell?

Cain speaks

What you do call dramnation's spell!
O boy, the father talketh so,
But little of it all I know.

Abel speaks

The more thou'rt likely to be there!

Cain speaks

Poor fool, thou mayest thy teaching spare!
I know quite well what I'll believe.
If God no angel wants to make me,
The Devil's glad enough to take me!


Abel calls

Where art thou, Cain? Come quick to me!

Eve speaks

Come, Cain, thy father calls for thee.

Cain speaks

I'm sitting here: where should I be?

Adam speaks

Come, and be washed and combed and clean.
Fit by the Lord God to be seen,
To offer sacrifice and pray,
And hear what the good prechers say.

Cain speaks

Unwashed will I forsooth remain.
Just let those rogues catch me again.
My head will be in such a flood
That mouth and eyes shall run with blood.

Eve speaks

Just hear the idle fellow's speech:
What water can such vileness bleach ?

Cain speaks

Yes, mother, there you speak the truth!
But so I will remain forsooth.

Eve speaks

Then, Abel, come and washed be
With the other sons, obediently.
And when the Lord God shall come in,
Stand you before him pure and clean
And then the Lord will find out Cain,
Where he all careless doth remain
With those who to rebel incline,
And live as stupid as the swine:
There be they in the straw and rot, --
A ragged, miserable lot.

Abel speaks

Mother, unto my God and thee
I ever will obedient be;
With all good children will I strive
To please thee all days that I live.


Act III
Enter Adam and Eve, and afterward Abel and Cain.

Adam speaks

Eva, is the house set right
So that in the Master's sight
All shall fine and festive stand,
As I gave you due command?

Eve speaks

In readiness was all arrayed
By time our vesper prayer was said.

Adam speaks

Children, behold the Lord draws near,
Surrounded by the angels dear;
Now stand all nicely in a row,
And when the Lord shall see you so,
Bow low and offer him the hand.
See how at the very end do stand
Cain and his gallows-doomed herd,
As to flee before their Lord.

The Lord enters with two angels, gives Adam his blessing,
and speaks:

Peace, little ones, be to you all!

Adam raises his head and speaks

O Father mine, who art in heaven,
We thank thee for this mercy given,
That thou in all our need and pain
Shouldst deign to visit us again.

Eve raises her head and speaks

O thou true Father and true God,
Wherein have we deserved this lot?
That thou so graciously shouldst come
And visit this our humble home?

[The pious salutations continue -- Adam bidding all his sons
to offer the word of welcome, beginning with Cain who
offers the Lord his left hand, and forgets to take off his hat.
Then follows the greeting of Abel and all the good children,
including Seth, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, and Lamech, each
one repeating in turn a petition out of the Lord's Prayer,
concluding with Lamech's: --]

Deliver us from evil, through
That blessed Seed thou'st promised true: Amen.

The Lord speaks

Abel, what means that word "Amen?"

Abel speaks

That we may be assured then
That God will do our prayer, without
We yield to unbelieving doubt.

The Lord speaks

Seth, tell me how on earth you know
That all you pray will be heard so?

Seth speaks

We know it by thy promise sure,
Which ever faithful must endure.
For since the God of truth thou art,
Thy word is done at very start.

The Lord speaks

Jared, when God acts not so swift
What shall a man do in the rift?

Jared speaks

Hope must he still in God's good word,
And trust him to his gracious Lord,
That in good time he'll find a way
Wherein his mercy to display.

[So continues the catechizing on the Lord's Prayer which
being ended, that on the Ten Commandments is taken up.]

The Lord speaks

Abel, the First Commandment say!

Abel speaks

To one God shalt thou bow and pray,
Nor any strange God have in mind.

The Lord speaks

And in that word what dost thou find?

Abel speaks

God above all we honor must;
Fear him and love, and in him trust.

The Lord speaks

And Seth, how reads the Second Law?

Seth speaks

Thy God's name must thou have in awe,
And never speak in vanity.

[The children rehearse and explain the ten Commandments
in their turn. then follows in like manner the recitation and
explanation of the Creed.]

The Lord speaks

Your answers are in all ways good;
You speak as pious children should.
You now may show me if as right
You can the holy Creed recite.

[They all say Yes.]

The Lord speaks

Let each in turn his portion say.

Abel speaks

I believe in God of highest worth,
Maker of heaven and the earth.

Seth speaks

The Saviour too in faith I own
Who was from heaven to earth sent down.
The head of Satan bruised he,
And so the human race set free.

Jared speaks

I trust too in the Holy Ghost
Who peace and comfort giveth most.

Enoch speaks

And I in holy Church believe,
Who shall in heaven her place receive.

Methuselah speaks

All sins' forgiveness do we know,
For the good Lord hath promised so.

Lamech speaks

And that our bodies shall arise
And live forever in the skies.

The Lord speaks

Abel, what means in God to have creed?

Abel speaks

That we to him in all our need
Commit ourselves and on him rest
In heart and soul as Father best.

The Lord speaks

What is the bodies' rising up?

Lamech speaks

When we have drained sorrow's cup
From realm of death we free shall go,
The bliss of endless life to know.

The Lord speaks

Children, right well my Word ye know. --
Now take ye heed therein to go.
Thereto shall ye my spirit share,
To teach and keep you free from care
That so ye come above to live;
And here will I full blessing give:
On earth, health and prosperity,
That you a mighty folk shall be,
As kings and priests and potentates
And learned preachers and Prelates,
So that the world shall know your fame,
And every land admire your name.
Thereto your father's blessing take
Which nevermore shall you forsake.

The Angel Raphael speaks

To God arise your praises let
With harp and song and glad quintette,
The while his grace and mercy stand
Displayed to man on every hand
To guide you to the heavenly land.
[They all depart.]


Act IV

[In this act Cain takes counsel with his evil companions
Dathan, Nabal, Achan, Esau, Nimrod the Tyrant, and Satan
the Devil, as to how they, who have always held the Lord's
name and worship in contempt, shall answer his questions.
Satan bids them instead to accept his rule and guidance, and
assures them the possession of all worldly goods and pleasures
in so doing.]

Enter the Lord with Adam and Eve. Satan hides himself.

The Lord speaks

Cain, come hither with thy crew
And tell me how ye pray God to?

Cain speaks

O Lord, we've him forgotten quite.

The Lord speaks

If I Thy speech can read aright,
Thou hast of him but little learned;
His Word in folly hast thou spurned
But let me hear what you can say.

Cain speaks

O Father of our heaven, we pray
Let us right here thy kingdom see;
Give us our debts and bread plenty,
And evil want and misery. Amen.

The Lord speaks

Who taught him such a twisted prayer?

Eve speaks
O Lord, to teach him I despair.
No whipping helped what I might say;
He drove it to the winds away;
And so did those who with him stand --
All threw contempt on my command.

The Lord speaks

Thou, Dathan, canst thou say the Creed?

Dathan speaks

I believe in God and heaven and earth,
In woman who of him has birth;
And in the name of Holy Ghost.
Sin and flesh I b'lieve in most.

The Lord speaks

So briefly has thy faith been told?

Dathan speaks

And that is more than I can hold!

The Lord speaks

Nabal, tell me the Ten Commands.

Nabal speaks

Lord, none I know, for so it stands:
To learn I never thought 'twas need.

the Lord speaks

But Achan, thou canst tell me this:
Dost thou have hope of heavenly bliss?

Achan speaks

I know quite well how here it goes,
But up there what will be, who knows?
If God shall so forgiving be
That I that happy state shall see,
So good! What matters what I do?

The Lord speaks

Esau, now thou canst tell me true,
What good shall holy offerings do?

Esau speaks

I hold that God will take the price
Of endless life in sacrifice,
And so we can with offerings buy
Our right to his eternity!

The Lord speaks

Nimrod, now answer me this minute,
Eternal life, believ'st thou in it?

Nimrod speaks

Now I will tell you straight and plain,
My heart trusts what my eyes have seen.
I lift it not to things on high;
I take of earth's good my supply
And leave to thee Eternity.

[After the Lord administers the divine reproof for such
godlessness and indifference, and warns these wicked children
of the awful results of their profanity and idleness, he
appoints Abel to the duty of instructing these his wicked
brothers; and on his accepting the office with meek
obedience, the angel Gabriel closes the Act with an
exhortation to praise.]

The Angel Gabriel speaks

That so these poor souls may repent,
Come down ye hosts from heaven sent,
With all your loveliest melody
To sound abroad God's majesty
Who hath done all things righteously!


Act V

Enter Cain with Satan, and speaks

My brother Abel is filled with glee
That he will now our bishop be.
The Lord with him will play great role
And give him over us control.
Him must we all in worship greet,
And be like slaves beneath his feet.

[Satan shows Cain that he, being the first-born, has the right
to rule; and advises him to kill Abel. Cain admits that he has
long had it in mind to do this. Abel entering asks Cain if they
shall go and offer the sacrifice. As they are offering, the Lord
comes and admonishes Cain, and departs. Abel kneels by his
sacrifice.]

Cain speaks

Brother, in swinging my flail about
My offering's fire have I put out;
But thine with fat of lambs flames high.

Abel speaks

In all be praised God's majesty
Who life and good and soul doth give,
And by whose grace alone we live!

[Satan gives the sign to Abel: Cain strikes him down; Satan
helps to conceal him and flees. The Lord comes and speaks:]

Cain, tell me where thy brother is!

Cain speaks

Shall I my brother's keeper be?
What is my brother's lot to me?

The Lord speaks

O Cain! Alas! What hast thou done?
Through heaven the voice of blood has run;
The earth the curse has understood
In that she drank thy brother's blood!

Satan whispers in Cain's ear, and speaks

Now Cain, forever thou art mine,
And bitter martyr's lot is thine.
Within thy conscience endless pain
And biting grief without refrain.
The world for thee is all too small --
Thou art accursed by one and all.
God and mankind are now thy foe,
And all creation this shall show,
For thou thy brother's blood has taken;
Hence be thou hated and forsaken;
Thy doom by no deed can be shaken.

Cain speaks

My sin is far too great that I
Should dare for God's forgiveness cry.
So must I wander on and on,
My life the prey of every one.

The Lord speaks

No, Cain: who deals to thee a blow
Shall seven times its misery know.
And so I put a mark on thee
That none may do thee injury.

Satan leads Cain away, and speaks

Cain, hang thyself upon a tree
Or else in water drowned be,
That so thyself from pain thou save
And I in thee a firebrand have.

[They both depart.]

[Adam and Eve now enter, weeping and lamenting the death
of their good son. The Lord comforts them by ordering the
angels to bury Abel's body, and by assuring them that Seth,
who shall now be to them as their first-born, shall be the
father of a blessed race.]

The Lord speaks

Till comes that day when shall be born
That holy Seed, of earth forlorn
And cursed with sin -- the Savior
Whom every one shall bow before --
So ye to heavenly kingdom come
And find with me eternal home.

[They all depart.]

The Herald comes in and concludes

So is the Comedy at end,
And four good lessons may it send.
And first, all people that do live
We see in Adam and in Eve.
These are the fallen human race
Accursed by God and in disgrace,
E'en as today we see it so.
We all in misery do go;
In sorrow eat our daily bread,
As God the same hath truly said.

And next in Abel may we see
Described and pictured cleverly,
All people that do fear the Lord
And give good head unto his word
And these by Holy Ghost do strive
In love with fellow-man to live
In soul and body so to prove
What is the heavenly Father's love
Whose mercy is to them always:
That do they to God's thank and praise.

Thirdly, however, by this Cain
The godless people are made plain
Who mock and jeer at holy grace
And faithless are in every place;
By their own reason, flesh and blood,
Taught what is right and what is good.
And so they know no fear nor shame,
And cast themselves in passion's flame;
In sin and blasphemy forget
What love hath God upon them set.
To them it is but idle sport
That men should bid them heed God's Word;
And so with murder, envy, hate,
On Satan's wicked will they wait.
His word into their ear is blown,
And safe he claims them as his own.

Fourthly, in God we plainly see
How great is his benignity;
How he doth stoop to all mankind
A way from sin and curse to find,
Through that same holy Seed foretold
To Adam and to Eve of old.
And this is Christ, our Savior Lord
Who by the heavenly Father's word
From Mary's body has come forth
And crushed the serpent's head to earth.
By cruel death upon the cross
He took away all wrath that was
'Twixt God and man by Adam's fall,
That we after earth's pain may all
Forever come with him to live:
That God may this in mercy give
When endless joy our soul awakes
With angels all, so prays Hans Sachs.






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