The Creation of the World and Other Business A Play ARTHUR MILLER The Viking Press/ New York Copyrght 1972, 1973 by Arthur Miller and lngeborg M. Miller, Trustee All rights reserved First published in 1973 by The Viking Press, Inc. 625 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022 Published simultaneously in Canada by Te Macmillan Company of Canada Limited Prnted i U.S.A. This play in its printed form is designed for tle reading public only. All dramatic rights in it are fully protected by copyright and public or private performance professional or amateur-may be given without the writte11 permissio11 of the author and the payment of royalty. As the courts have also ruled that the public reading of a play constitutes a public performance, no such reading may be given except under the conditions stated above. Anyone disregarding the author's rights renders himself liable to prosecution. Communications should be addressed to the author's represntative Jmernational Famous Agency, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019. For lnge THE CREATION OF THE WORLD AND OTHER BUSINESS CHARACTERS GOD ADAM EVE LUCIFER AGELS; RAPHAEL ARAEL CHEMUEL CA AEL Act I Music. A night sky full of stars. Da spreads its pristine light, form ing shadows in the contrating sunlight. It is Paradise, the ultimate Garden-which is to say that it is all an impression of color rather than terrestrial details of plants and vines. Only one such feature stands apart; from the left, reaching out like an inverted, fnger-spread hand, is a tree branch with golden leaves, from which hangs-an apple. God appears on his throne above the acting level. He is deep in thought a he tries to visualize the inevitable future. Now, as light spreads, the caw of a crow sounds, the dawn-welcoming c hatter of monkeys, the hee-hawing ass, the lion's echoing roar, seals barking, pigs grunting, the loon's sudden laughter-all at once in free cacophony. And as they subside and day is full , one of the shadows moves-a man, Adam, who reaches up above his head and plucks a fg and, propped up against a rock, crosses his legs and idly chews. He is in ever way a man and naked, but his skin is imprinted with striped and speckled shadows, an animated congealment of light and color and darkness. God emerges behind and to one side of him. He looks about, at the weather, up at the sky. Then He turns and looks down at Adam, who gradually feels His presence, and with only the slightest start of surprise . . . . 2 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ADAM: * + / ADAM: , + / ADAM: Holds up a hand to feel it. * + / ) / ADAM: * + / / He points. ADAM: - + / ADAM: Ah * + / tring the word: ADAM: / * + / looks ADAM: * . / cocking His head doubtfully : ADAM, quickly : / * + / 64 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD lion. Oh, God! Stretching on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow on her side, hads ow ACT II 65 and blow thy cold death across her lip. Azrae/ bends and exhales over her face. Eve shudders as with icy cold and gasps in air, still asleep. That's enough. Chemuel , in thy compassion, drive anguish to the comer of her mind, and seal it up. Chemuel kneels, kisses her once. Eve exhales with relief. God walks a few yards away and sits. Go away, Death. Azrael stands fat. Go, Azrael. And wait her need. A zrael exits unwillingly. Chemuel , in thy mercy, del iver Eve. Chemuel reaches, lays his hand on her swollen belly, and with a short pull removes the swelling; clutching it to his breat, he starts to lean to kiss her again. That's enough. Chemuel hesitates, glancing up at God. Go, Chemuel, and wait her need. Chemuel stands and goes out. Now in thy slumber let us reaon together. Adam and Eve sit up, their eyes shut in sleep. Behold the stranger thine agony hath made. A youth of sixteen appears, his eyes shut, his arms drawn in close to his body, his hands claping his forward tilted had. He moves waywardly, like a windblown l eaf, and as he at last approaches Eve, he halts some feet away as God speaks again. Here is the frst life of thy life; woman. And it is ftting that the frst letter st and before his name. But seeing that i n thy extremi ty thou hast already ofered his life to Lucifer; and seeing, Adam, that i n your ignorance you have lkewise threatened him with murder He loses his calm-all of which amazes Me and sets My teeth on edge- He breaks of, gritting His teeth-! am nevertheless mindful that this child-He turns to the youth -is innocent. So we shall try agai n. And rather than call him Abel, who was in j eopardy, he shall be Cain, for his lfe's sake. He stands. Now Cain is bor! Cain lies down, coiled beside Eve. She sits up, opens her eyes, and looks down at Cain. 66 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD EvE, joyfully surprised: AAM, walking quickly, seeing Cain : What's that? EvE : It is . . Goo: Cai. Thy son. Both gap , surprised by His presence. EvE-she suddenly feels her fat belly and with a cry pros trates before God: I see I have been favored of Thee, 0 Lord! Goo, indicating the inert Cain: Here i thine inocence re tred to thee, which thou so lightly cast away i Eden. Now protet him from the worm of tie own evil, which ts day hath ucovered i thee. Look in My face, woma. EV, covering her eyes: dare not , for I doubted Thy good ness! Goo: O wilyou doubt Me any more? EvE: Never, never, never! Goo: Then lt up thne eyes. She slowly dares to face Him on her knees. EvE: I have gotten a man from the Lord. Goo: Thou a te mother of mankid. EvE : And generations unknown to me shall spring from my loin. He extends His hand. She rests hers on it and rises. I the river abounding i fsh, I am the summer sun arousing the bee, the risig moon i held i her place ACT II 67 am I I n Gon: An angelic waltz strikes up. God sweeps Eve in a glorious dance all over the stage. Adam, happiness on his face, makes light and abortive attempts to cut in. God and Eve exit, dancing, Adam trailing behind and calling. ADAM: Laughing, bursting with joy, he waltzes out after them. Lucifer, alone with Cain coiled up nearby, looks of toward the party and shakes his head. LuciFER: He turns front, staring. Now he looks down at Cain. He crouches over Cain. I He bends and kisses him. CURTAIN Act III The family discovered asleep. A primitive shelter is sug gested, hanging skins, and a cooking area in one corner. God is seated on a rock. He is thoughtfully watching them. He shakes his head, bafed, then raises a hand. Azrael lights up behind the left screen. I Stands, looking down at the people. I Azrael starts to raise his arms. I To the people : I He exits. Lucifer comes up out of the trap. Looks about, notices a golden bowl and picks it up. LuciFER: I 70 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD j unk. EvE, awakening: LUCIFER: EvE: j LuciFER: A EvE : I I LuciFER: She lies bak down. LUCIFER: Comes away from her. i make . . . He leaps to Cain when the light of dawn glows and Azrael appears behind the screen. Lucifer hides to observe him. Sotto. Azrael raises his caped arms menacingly. Azrael blows three loud, short breaths. The people instantly groan. Azrael vanishes. Lu cifer comes down to the people. anin ACT II 71 ADAM-sits up: dream! She turns to him expect antly. EvE, against her fear: ADAM: LuciFER: e EvE: A ADAM: EvE: LuciFER: ?-I h CAIN, sitting up: ADAM EVE : CAIN: Luci FER: He continu ously moves around the peripher and sometimes in among them, searchingly, awaiting his opening. ABEL, sittin g up: ADAM: 72 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD . EvE : . . Mystifed: CAIN, instantly-an exhale of recognition, his fnger raised: All turn to him a he points to Abel. Eve gasps. EvE : She gets up and goes to Abel and, holding his hea in her arms, kisses him. Adam moves her aide, and he kisses him. LUCIFER: CAIN, kisses Abel : I ADAM: Al CAIN, turning to Adam: Turning to Abel: ABEL, to Eve; EvE : AAM: LUCIFER: To Eve ; EvE : CAIN: Adam turns t o him, sensing his strange in tensity. ACT II 73 % / / / # / i & / # / struck by this: % / impatiently: / $ / it al. ! % / Garden! # / Garden, % / # / 74 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ADAM, quickly: No, not "Get out ! " EvE : I t he's overtied. CAI N: I am not overired! Wy do you always make every thing I'm not tag about sheep or farg; I' m talking about what God want us to do! you thi He wants me to fa, I'l be glad to switch. CAIN, to Adam with a laugh: He's going to fa! DAM, laughing: God help us! protesting: Wy! CAIN: Wit your sene of responsibiity, we'd be eating thistle soup! EvE, touching Abel: He's j ust more iagative. LUCIFER: Wiyou j ust shut up? CAIN: Imagiative! ABEL: Have I ever lost a sheep? CAI N: How could you lose tem? Tey aways end up i my com. Ca, that only happened once! CAIN, with raw indignation : Go out there and sweat the way I do and tell me it only happened once! EvE: He' s j ust younger! CAIN: And I'm older, and I'll be daed i I plant aother crop until he fences those sheep! LUCIFER: Stop ths ! ACT II to Adam: 75 turning away: I I i i at a loss: angering, to Adam: To Cain : 76 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ABEL, cring out : Then what a I suppos d to do? Cain is close, staring into his face, a tortured expression in his eyes which puzzles Abel. Wh is he looking lie that? Suddenly Cain embraces Abel, hugging him close. EvE, puzzled and alarmed: CAIN-he lets Abel go and moves a few steps, staring: I don't know what's happng to me. Abel, shake hi hand. on, up. You're both sory. ABEL, holding out his hand: LuciFER, victoriously to Heaven: Why don't you give up? Cain ha just raised his hand to approach Abel when a large snake is dropped in their midst from Heaven. Eve screams. Lucifer rushes and fings it out of sight. LUCIFER: Scat ! Get out of here! EvE : It few i and out ! fying snake? Instatly the high howling of several coyotes is heard, and the family turns in all directions, a though toward an in vading force. LUCIFER, of to one side, looking up to Heaven: this is low! looking about at the air: Something is happening. To Eve, who is staring about : I think . . . I' d She covers her eyes in trepidation. we're supposed to, now. ACT il 77 EvE, lowering her hands: Al rgt. Ten maybe everhig wi be as it wa agai. Boys? Maybe you'd beter sit down, boys. ABEL : Tell what, Pa? They all sit except Eve, who remains standing, staring about apprehensively. ADAM: About the question of leavig Paradise-! don't want you to t that we tied to mlead you or anything le that. EvE, pleadingly to Cain: It's just everthing was going so good, you see? AAM, with a glance around at the air: But it looks like something i happening, so maybe we better get this settled. ABEL : What, Pa? We . . . didn't exactly decide to go, y'see. We were ah-he blinks aa a tear-told to leave. CAN: Told ? ABEL: Why, Pa? fumbling: Why? Wel . . . He turns helplessly to Eve. Why? EVE : We j ust didn't ft i, you see. I mean i a person doesn't ft in- ADAM: I we're going to tell it, we better tell it. EVE: But the way you're telg it, it sounds lke it was al my fault! 78 CREATION OF THE WORLD AAM: d' t ayt hig e ! are ADAM, setting himself : we I ne ad e AAM: ABEL, with a big smile: CAIN: he much ch ce He laughs. EvE : I believe I mentioned there this evi. ADAM: CAI N: ci cumstaces. AAM: seewe ABEL-thrilled and scared, he laughs: CAIN: AAM: e ABEL, more scared now: t h AAM: ACT 79 Cain goes t o a lyre and, turing his back on them, he plays. They watch him for a moment, aware of his intense feeling. ABEL, avidly: And then what happened? Cain strums a loud a he can, then stops. ADAM, with a worried glance at Cain: Wel, the next thig looked at her, y'see. And there was somethig funy. I didn't know what it was. And then realied. She wa naked. Cain now turns to them. CAIN AND ABEL: Mama? EvE : Well, he was too. CAIN-hocked, he drops the lyre: Mama! LUCIFER, holding his head: Ohhh! EvE : We didn't know it, dalig! CAIN: How could you not know you were naked? EvE: Wel, we were like chidren; lke you, lke Abel. You remember, when Abel wa a baby and ran around- CAIN, outraged, accusing: But you weren' t a baby! EvE, to Adam, at a loss: Aren't you goig to say anytng? ABEL, explaining for Adam: Well, they were lke amals. CAIN, pained, horrifed: Don't you say a thing like that! ADAM, to Cain: Well , told you-1 could smell water? ABEL : Sure! Ad they could hear the trout talkng. CAIN: But you never sad you were actually . . . animals. 80 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD AAM: Ca. CAIN: ADAM, angrily, stading: I EvE, going to him: CAIN, furiously: EvE : Slight pause. CAI, swept by this truth: CAI N: EVE : CAIN: furiously to Adam: CAI N: ADAM: . . CAIN, accusingly: knew ACT Il 8 1 ADAM: Slight pause. CAIN: We're ABEL: ADAM: CAIN: EvE: I'm CAN: ADAM: I CAIN: EvE: CAIN, sinking to his knees: I EvE: Do CAIN: I he looks upward tenderly-i ad ad 82 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ADAM, to Eve : EvE, recalling: Going to her knees : Cain, faces Heaven. Adam goes to his knees. And fnally Abel. CAIN: Adam and Eve shut their eyes and concentrate. Abel watches them, then leans over to Eve. with a glance at the praying Cain : CAIN, eyes shut : i ADAM: I Pause. All heads are lowered. Lucifer stands up. He comes down to them and sits next to Abel. softly: EvE : ABEL : A slight pause. They contemplate, but Abel is glancing ap prehensively toward Lucifer. ACT il 83 A BEL: Who art thou? The family turs quickly to him, astonished, Lucifer being invisible to all but Abel. LuciFER: I am what you fear in your hea is tre-your brother is dangerous. Tell hi you'll build te fence. Abel reacts in refusal. Th man is iconsolable! ABEL: Why? LuciFER: She love you best, Abel. ABEL: But is loved! EvE : How seet ! To Adam: Did you hea? LUCIFER: has her respect, but her love has gone to you. Tel hi you'll build it if you cae to lve! This man i murderous ! Now Abel turns with new eyes to Cain. ABEL: About the fence- Yes? ABEL : You're rght. It's not the com that eat the sheep but te sheep that eat the com- LuciFER: Attaboy! EvE, to Adam, happily: Listen! ABEL: So I wibuid the fence aound te sheep. EvE, to Adam: Do you hea! AAM: Marelous. Where would you build it? ABEL: Wel-aywhere out of the way. I the valley? 84 THE CREATION OF THE CAIN: CAI N: CAI N: CAIN: LUCI FER: swallowing his resentment : LUCI FER: EvE, afected by Abel's anguish: h LuciFER: EvE, to Cain, insistently: h LUCI FER: I LUCI FER: like like agreed To Cain : ACT il 85 Cain slams his hands down on the ground and springs up furiously, goes t o a big rock and picks i t up. LuciFER, to Abel : Watch out! Don' t turn your back on him! Abel quickly turns to watch his brother. EvE: What are you doing? Cain places the boulder on top of another. CAIN: Wat has never been done. It has come to me to make an oferig to the Lord. LuciFER, shaking a fst at Heaven : Don't you ever give up? EvE, vatly relieved: Tat's a wonderful idea! ADAM: Say, now! That sounds very good, Cai. EvE : You thi He'll come? AAM: He might. Te way Cain loves He might j ust stop by. To Cain, with his expertise : Take the best of thy com and the frst of thy wheat, and lttle pasley-He a ways rater lked pasley. Cain fnds a fat stone and sets it on top of the altar he is constructing. Eve immediately takes a broom and starts sweeping the area. EvE : What about some gapes? ADAM, calling to Cain: Grapes too! CAIN: The gapes aren't too good ths year EvE : You'd better not, then. ADAM, all excited: Don't lsten to her; it doesn' t matter i they're not too good, it's the feelng behind it. Because ACT l 97 CAIN-a cry, a though from his bowel, to the sky: LuciFER: He grasps Cain's astounded face. Ma' s I CAIN: fute! LuCIFER: is ABE ' s VOICE, closer now, calling: LuCI FER, grabbing for him: CAIN: I He breaks from Lucifer, facing in the direction of Abel's voice. LuciFER: ABEL, closer yet : LuciFER: Abel enters. Cain stares front. 98 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD LuciFER, facing front : I swear this, Cain-if man will not kill man, God i s unnecessary! Wal away and you' re free! Cain starts to walk away. ABEL : Brother! God wats you there! CAI N, halting: Wants me? LUCIFER: Swallow it ad walk! ABEL : Of course-he loves you, Cain. He was just saying how you do everthing He wats. CAI N: Then, by God, I order you out of here and your mother and father, ad never come back! ABEL : Brother! -I've as much right here a you. He moves toward Cain. CAI N: Ae you even so sure of his blessing that you come to me? ABEL: You' ll not hurt me, Cain. CAIN: Why? Am I thy servant? He seeps up his fail. Am thy fool? Run from me! ABEL: Astonished at the fail, he starts to back away. Brother! God loves us both! CAIN: You are dead to me, Abel-run! ABEL, halts: I will not ! Come to the Lord! CAI N, moving toward him, raising the fail : Run for your li fe! ABEL: Brother, let God calm you! ACT IU 99 CAI N, whirling about, fail raised, he calls to the air : rushing to him: Him! CAIN-he turns on Abel, calling to God: us ! He strikes at Abel who dodges and runs. screaming: CAIN-pursuing him, he strikes Abel down : He strikes him again on the ground. Ca! Goo, calling from of: C at Cain fings the fail away like an alien thing that somehow got into his hand. God enters rapidly, behind Him Eve and Adam. Goo: Cain is silent. EvE : i Abel? Goo: CAI N, with a new, dead indiference: I I Goo: crieth unto me from the ground. EvE-eeing the corpse, like a sigh at frst : Ahhh. wide-eyed: The sigh repeatedly emanating 1 02 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD locked Slight pause. And lf and arms? To Cain : to Eve: She stands rigid, wide-eyed. turning to God: never angr. She turns awa, rejecting. Beginning to anger. Then can' t just live! furiously: Ad multitudes ACT 1 03 ADAM: You, Lord, you! Goo: Why? Your inocent son is dead; why! ADAM: Because . . . how do I kow?-maybe for some one, somewhere, even th . . . is good? Right? Goo, outraged: You are all worthless ! The mother blames God, the father blaes no one, and the son kows no blame at all . To Lucifer : Angel, you have won the world-and I hereby give it over to your ministry. ADAM: Him! Goo: This is the chaos you want, and him you shall have the God who judges nothing , the God of ite permi sion. I shal contiue to do the hurricanes, the gorilla, and all that, but I see now that your hears' desie is anarchy and I wah my hands. I do not want to be God . . . any more! He starts away. LuciFER, dashing after Him: Lord! You don't mean-not me all by myself! Goo: Tat's what you've been after, isn't it? LuciFER: No, no with You! It's out of the question for me to rn the world aone. Goo: But what do you need Me for? LUCI FER: But I can' t-I can't make anything! Goo: Real ly! But you're such a superb critic. LUCI FER: But they're two entiely diferent thigs ! Goo: Perhaps once you're i chage you'll become more creative. He starts away again; Eve rushes to Him. 104 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD EvE : Wait, Lord, pleae! Goo: Oh, woman, for thy torment especially I am most deeply sory. Good-bye, dea Eve. He starts away. EvE : But what do we do about Cai? Now He halts, turs, alert. LUCI FER, to God: Very wel, I take the world! To Eve: Tel hi to go! EvE, to Lucifer: But what about Cai? LUCIFER: There'l be no more talk about Cai. The boy simply got caught a rotten situation, ad no emotions are caled for. Goo: She seems to have a question- LUCI FER : She is free! She ha no furher questions ! To Eve: Tel hi to go back to his hurricaes. EvE, to Lucifer: But he murdered my son. Goo: But what the question? EvE: SON! Goo: Ad what is the question, woman! Luci FER: You've got your freedom! Stop here! EvE, to Lucifer: But how-turning to Cain's adamant face: How do I hand hi breakfat tomorow? How do I cal to diner? "Come, maniler, I have meat for thee"? CAI N, holding his ground, his profle to her eyes: It wa not my fault! I 1 05 EvE, cring out to God: Goo: j EVE : a EvE : . . To Cain : anything? EvE, with high anxiety: a ne EVE : . . . She breaks of, backing a step from Lucifer, and turns to God: Goo, quickly: EvE : . In fear: EvE : 1 06 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD ADAM AN EvE, rushing to God: Father, save us! my chidren, I tought you' d never understand! LUCI FER, with a furious, bitter irony, as God approahes the beseeching people: And here He comes agai n-Father Gui lt is back! Rushing to Cain : Cain, help me! You' re the one free, guiltless man. Tell God you have no need for Him! Speak out your freedom and save the world! CAIN-he ha been staring in silence; now he turns his dead ees to Lucifer : Angel, none of ths seem to matter, you kow? One way or te other. Wy don' t you let it a go? With a near-so b Lucifer claps his hands over his ears, then, straightening, he comes to a salute before God. LuciFER: You have my salute! You have gorgeously pre arranged ths entire dialogue, and it all comes out the way You want-but You have solved absolutely nothng! Goo: lifting His eyes from the kneeling Adam and Eve: Except, angel, that you wi never be God. And not because I forbid, but because tey wil never-at leat not for very long-beleve it. For I made them not of dust alone , but dust and love; and by dust alone they will not, cannot long be govered. Lucifer bursts into sobbing tears. Wy do you weep, angel? Tey love, and with love, b rothers. Take heart, I see now that our war goes on. AAM ND EvE: No, Lord! Lucifer looks at God now, clear-eyed, expectant. Goo: It does go on. For love, see, i not enough; though te Devi hself cr peace, you' ll fd your war. Now I 107 Ma, I Goo, after a slight pause: I coming alive: I Goo: I Goo, holdin g two index fngers pointed toward Cain's face: Terrifed, Cain comes up to His fn gers, and He comes aound behind Cain, who is facing front, and presses his cheeks, forming a smile which Cain cannot relax. God lowers His fngers. smiling: Goo: Goo: i 1 08 CREATION OF WORLD Smiling, his eyes desperate, Cain turns to Eve. She cries out and hides her face in her hands. He tears at his cheeks, but his smile remains. He lowers his hands-a smiling man with atonished, terrifying eyes. Goo: i Lucifer, who ha been staring of, swerves about. The peo ple come alert, startled. God turns and walks upstage. rushing a half-step behind God: I . . . God cont inues, moving into light. Adam halts, calling. never? EvE : She starts to run up toward Him, but He disappears among the stars. Adam, above her now, turns down to Lucifer. ADAM: He comes down to Lucifer, his fnger rising toward the angel. Lucifer turns from the vanished God to Adam, his face twisted with puzzlement. ADAM with a heart broken, lost cr: i LUCI FER: He walks away, glancing back to Eve. EvE : LUCI FER, pointing insinuatingly at her : I ACT I 1 09 Lucifer walks into darkness. Adam and Eve turn t o Cain. i Indicating Abel. h. She turs away. ADAM: turing to the corpse: I To Cain: not Indicating Abel. I happened I Cain turns away from both. Cain starts away. Cain, adamant, the smile fxed on his face, walks out. I With his arm around her he has drawn her to the periphery, where she stands, her mouth open, struggling to speak. But 1 10 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD she canot, and she breaks into weeping. As though in her name, Adam calls toward the departed Cain: Merc y ! The roars, songs, ad cries of the animals fll the air. Adam looks up and about, and to the world, a clear-eyed prayer: Merc y ! CURTAIN