ABSTRACT
2TheFirst-BornofEgypt Forthetextandpublication,seeheadnotetoTheDanceofDeath,p.3.The sourceofthepoemisExodusxi-xii,whichdescribestheinflictionofthe twelfthandfinalplagueonEgypttoforcePharaohtoreleasetheIsraelites: 'Anditcametopass,thatatmidnighttheLordsmoteallthefirstborninthe landofEgypt,fromthefirstbornofPharaohthatsatonhisthroneuntothe firstbornofthecaptivethatwasinthedungeon;andallthefirstbornofcattle. AndPharaohroseupinthenight,he,andallhisservants;andtherewasa greatcryinEgypt;fortherewasnotahousewheretherewasnotonedead' (xii29-30).MrsOrrcommentsthat'theByronicinfluencewaspredominant' inIncondiUI(OrrLife33),andMaynardconnectsthisinfluencewithByron's deathinI824;thestyleofFirst-Bornishoweveralsoreminiscentof Coleridge,and,insomepassages,ofMilton.Theapocalypticelementsofthe poemanticipatethoseofCE&EDandChildeRoland;somedetailsinthe pictureofdevastationareechoedinSordelloiv;butthegeneralisednarrative styleisuniqueinB.'swork.
