HEAVEN AND EARTH:

A MYSTERY.

FOUNDED ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE IN GENESIS,

CHAP. VI.

"And it came to pass

that the sons of God

saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."

"And woman wailing for her demon lover."

-COLERIDGE.

Introduction to Heaven and Earth.

He

ALTHOUGH the favourite charge against Lord Byron is that of irreligion, no English poet of the first rank, with the exception of Milton, has shown so intimate a knowledge of the writings of the Old Testament. It is noteworthy that there is little or no reference throughout Byron's poems to the historical narrative or teachings of the Gospels, a striking proof from internal evidence of the rigid Calvinistic teaching he received in his boyhood. Undeterred by the outcry which "Cain" raised among people who expected the children of Adam to talk in the language of the Evangelical Magazine, Byron composed a second "Mystery." wrote to Moore on this point-"The new Mystery is less speculative than 'Cain,' and very pious, besides it is chiefly lyrical." "Heaven and Earth was commenced at Ravenna on 9th Oct. 1821, and occupied the Author only fourteen days. In conversation with Captain Medwin, Byron said, "Douglas Kinnaird tells me that he can get no bookseller to publish it. On what plea? There is nothing objectionable in it that I am aware of. May not impiety be extracted by garbling the Bible? I defy the common people to understand such mysteries as the "loves of the Angels," at least they are mysteries to me." Whatever difference of opinion there may be as to the propriety of selecting such subjects for dramatic poems, there can be none as to the skill with which these thrilling scenes in the world's history are brought before the reader. The coming destruction of all save Noah and his family throws its shadow over the speakers from the first, and one instinctively feels in the presence of the "giant race before the flood," that mixture of god and mortal which is more than hinted at in the Biblical narrative. The general effect is well compared to that of Poussin's picture of the Deluge, with its lurid lights out of mere earthly keeping. Not a thought in the poem is trivial or unworthy of the grandeur of the subject.

• Moore.

Dramatis Personæ.

ANGELS.

SAMIASA.

AZAZIEL.

RAPHAEL, The Archangel.

MEN.

NOAH AND HIS SONS.

IRAD.

JAPHET.

WOMEN.

ANAH.

AHOLIBAMAH.

Chorus of Spirits of the Earth.-Chorus of Mortals.