SOURCE: “The Poetic Drama,” in William Vaughn Moody: A Study, Bruce Humphries, Inc., Publishers, 1934, pp. 111-40.

In the following essay, Henry discusses unifying subjects, themes, and techniques in Moody's trilogy of poetic dramas.

Uriel, you that in the ageless sun Sit in the awful silences of light, Singing of vision hid from human sight,— Prometheus, beautiful rebellious one! And you, Deucalion, For whose blind seed was brought the illuming spark, Are you not gathered, now his day is done, Beside the brink of that relentless dark— The dark where your dear singer's ghost is gone?(1) 

A purely objective estimate of Moody's trilogy of poetic dramas is scarcely to be obtained. Many different elements, such as the critic's personal appreciation for classical and cosmic themes, for traditional form, and for a subject sustained through three long narratives, must be considered. One's opinion is also influenced by observing the author's...