The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-08-14
".

The tragedy OF "Lucifer" is framed on the
Greek model an attempt is made to preserve
the respective unities Of scene. time. and ac-
ton. There are. however, more dramatis per-
sone than there are in any Greek play that
has come down to us. Besides the chorus OF
good angels which plays throughout the piece
the part OF commentator. as In a Greek drama.
there is a species OF anti-choir OF Luciferians.
or seditious spirits. The actors are eight, to
wit, on one side Lucifer. the Stakeholder OF
Heaven" and the three rebellious chiefs. Beel-
zebub. Belial and Apollion and on the other
Gabriel. Gods herald Of mystery. Michael.
field marshal, Raphael. guardian angel. and
Uriel, Michael's armor bearer. We may mention
that the characters OF Lucifer and BeelZebub
and those OF Michael and Raphael will be found
to be almost identical. as they are depicted In
the play. with the representation OF them In
the epic. In both expositions OF the stor
Beclzebub is n pillar OF State, deep on whose
brow engraven deliberation sat and public
care" in both the paramount figure OF Lucifer
is not utterly incapable OF affection. and has at
least one touch of softness by which he elicits
sympathy. In both drama and epic the view
point of the rebeliious angels is effectively set
forth, so that their revolt is Ineligible, though
objectionable. Millions Belial seems to COM
bine the features attributed by Vondel to both
+ Belial and Apollion. The sharply distinguished
qualities of the archangels Michael and Ra-
/ phacl. the one all warlike ardor and resolve.
the other all tenderness and pity. are brought
out with as much c~learness in the play as in
the epic narrative. 1t is in the adoption OF
Nondels characterization rather than in the
literal reproduction Of particular phrases that
Milton's principal Indictment to his forerunner
is revealed.
The first act OF Vondel's play is largely de-
scriptive. We have In it pictures of the serenity
Of heaven and ofthe Joys Of Paradise. Beelzebub
and Bclial are on the stage awaiting the report
OF Apollion. who has been sent by Lucifer to
earth to gain for him "a better sense OF Adams
bliss, the state. where placed by powers omnip-
otcnt he dwells." Apollion relates viii en-
thusiasm the wonders that he has witnessed.
After depicting the beauty and primal inno-
cence OF Eden, he describes the primeval pair,
and confesses that in the delightful blaze OF
the first woman's charms his own snowy
wings were singed. We make two extracts
from Mr.. Van Noppen's translation OF the
Dutch original and shall then ask the reader to
compare them with corresponding messages in
Paradise Lost" bearing in mind. of course.
that Wonders play was published thirteen years
earlier, Beelzebub bids Apollion. Now picture
me the bride described from life." Apollion
answers
That Natures pencil needs nor lesser hues
Than sInbeans. Perfect are both man and wife:
OF equal beauty they. from head to foot.
by right doth Adam Eve excel in strength
OF form and majesty OF bearing. NJ
One chosen for the sovereignty of earth;
But Eve combines all that her bridegroom Joys;
Atendrrmcss OF limb and softer skin
And ac1h, u ~loyeler tint and eyes enchanting,
A Charming. gracious mouth, a sweeter voice,
Whose pow'r lies in a sound more exquisite;
Two founts of ivory and what besides
No tongue should dare to name. lest spirits should
Be tempted. And though all the angels now
Impress our eyes as beautiful and fair.
How i'll their forms and faces would appear
II seen within the roseate morning light
OF maidenhood!
Apollion had previously said:
lowered with my wings mine eyes aud face
That l might curb my thoughts and deep delight,
Nhen erst she filled my gaze. AZ Adam led her
Into their srborous bower with gentle hand:
From time to time he stopped, in contemplation;
Aud gazing thus. Il holy ire began
His pure breast to infame. And then he kissed
His bride and she her bridegroom: thus on 10y
Their nuptals fed-on fcaSts of hery love,
Better mag ned FIR than told, 4 bliss
Divine beyond all angel ken. How poor
Our loneliness! For US no union sweet
OF two'fOld sex, Of maiden and of man.
Alas how much OF good we miss; we know
No mate or happy marriage in q heaven
Devoid of woman.
Now. let us glance at Milton's moro familiar
lines: they occur in Book ". OF Paradise
Lost"
Two of far nobler shade. erect and tall,
Godlike erect. with native honor clad.
In naked majesty. seemed lords of ali,
And worthy seemed: for in their looks divine
The image of their glorious Maker shone,
Truth. wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure
tSeVore. but i'll true hlial freedom placed;
whence true authority in men. though both
Not equal, Rs their sex not equal seemed;
For contemplation he and valor formed;
For softneEs she. and sweet. attractive grace;
He for God only, she for God in him;
His fair large front and eye sublime declared
Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks
Round from his parted forelock manly hung
Clustering. but not beneath his shoulders broad,
She. as n veil. down to the slender waist
Her unadorntd golden tresses wore
Disheyelled, but in wanton ringlets waved.
As the vine curls her tendrils, which implIed
subsection. but inquired with gentle sway,
And by her yielded, by him best received,
Yielded with coy submission, modest pride.
And sweet, reluctant. amorous delay.
A little later. in the zane book. we read:
30 spake our general mother, and with eyes
or ~cOnjugal attraction unreproved,
And meek surrender. half.embracing leaned
On our nlbt fa.her; half her swelling breast
Naked met his under the flowing gold
OF her loose tresses hid: he In delight
Both OF her beauty and submissiv charms,
Smiled with superior love, as Jupiter
On juno smiles. when he impreGns the clouds
That shed May flowers; and pressed her matron lin
With kisses pure: aside the devil turned
For envy. yet with Jealous leer maliRn
Eyed them askance.
Let US pass TO another parallelism. It will be
observed that the docile and afrectionate rela-
ton OF all animals To man in Eden is similarly
Indicated In the two poems. We cite VondeI nrst; |
The mountain lion wagged his tail and smiled
Upon his lord, and. at his sovereign's feet.
The tiger. too, his herceness laid. The bull
Bowed low his horns; the elephant his trunk.
The bear forgot his rage. The grimm heard
His call the eagle and the dragon dread,
Behemoth and even great Leviathan.
Nor shall l tell what praise rings in mans ears.
Amid those wRrbling bowers, replete Nth songs
In many tongues; while 1ephyrs rustic through
The leaves, and brooks purl meath their sylvan banLs