la légende des siecles

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 as 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.
PUISSANCE ÉGALE BONTÉ.
Iblis, one of the names used in the Koran for the Spirit of Evil. He was a spirit who
refused to prostrate himself before Adam at the command of the Almighty, and was
therefore expelled from Eden. Instead of being immediately destroyed, however, he was
given a respite till the Day of Judgement. The word is derived from the Arabic balas,
wicked.
Another tradition, not found in the Koran, is that Iblis was a warrior angel whom the
Almighty sent to exterminate the Djinns, the beings, half men, half angels, who
inhabited the country of the Genii. Instead of performing this command, the spirit
rebelled and was cast down into hell. It is hardly necessary to add that Hugo's story is of
his own invention.