It has been thought that the subject of this poem was suggested to
Victor Hugo by a passage in _Les tragiques_, a satirical poem in
seven books, depicting the misfortunes and vices of France, written
by Théodore Agrippa D'Aubigné (1551-1630), whom Sainte-Beuve calls
the Juvenal of the sixteenth century. The passage relating to Cain
occurs in the sixth book, called _Les Vengeances_. The following
extracts indicate the spirit in which the author dealt with his
theme.
Il avoit peur de tout, et il avoit peur de lui
. . . . . . .
La mort ne put avoir de mort pour récompense:
L'Enfer n'eut point de morts à punir cette offense;
Mais autant de jours il sentit de trespas:
Vif, il ne vescut point; mort, il ne mourut pas.
Il fuit d'effroi transi, troublé, tremblant et blesme,
Il fuit de tout le monde, il s'enfuit de soy-mesme
. . . . . . .
Il possedoit le monde et non une asseurance;
Il estoit seul partout, hors mis sa conscience,
Et fut marqué au front affin qu'en s'enfuiant
Aucun n'osast tuer ses maux en le tuant.
It is clear that if the poem suggested the subject to Hugo it
suggested nothing else.
With _Caïn_ may be compared _Le Parricide_, one of the 1859 series,
which is also inspired by the theme of the guilty conscience
pursuing the murderer. In this case remorse is symbolized by a
drop of blood which falls upon the head of the criminal wherever
he goes.
_Assur_, English Asshur; the name occurs in the marginal rendering
of Gen. x. II (Revised Version).
The names of persons and their descriptions are taken from the
account of Cain's descendants in Gen. iv. 17-23.
_Jabel_, English Jabal, son of Lamech, a descendant of Cain and
Adah. 'He was the father of such as dwell in tents and have cattle.'
_Tsilla_, English Zillah, one of Lamech's wives.
_Jubal_, the brother of Jabal. 'He was the father of all such a
handle the harp and pipe.'
_Hénoch_, English Enoch, Cain's son.
_Tubalcaïn_, English Tubal-cain, the son of Lamech and his wife
Zillah. He was 'the forger of every cutting instrument of brass
and iron.'
_Seth_ was the third son of Adam and Eve, and
_Énos_ was the son of Seth.