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Well pleased they slack their course, and many a league Cheered with the grateful smell, old Ocean smiles. So entertained those odorous sweets the Fiend, Who came their bane: though with them better pleased Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume

That drove him, though enamoured, from the spouse Of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound.

Now to the ascent of that steep savage hill Satan hath journeyed on, pensive and slow; But further way found none, so thick entwined, As one continued brake, the undergrowth Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplexed All path of man or beast that passed that way. One gate there only was, and that looked east On the other side, which when the arch-felon saw, Due entrance he disdained, and, in contempt, At one slight bound high overleaped all bound Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf, Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve In hurdled cotes amid the field secure, Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold: Or as a thief bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors, Cross-barred and bolted fast, fear no assault, In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles: So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold; So since into his church lewd hirelings climb. Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life, The middle tree and highest there that grew, Sat like a cormorant; yet not true life

Who came their bane.—These odours floating from the spice islands, far upon the evening or morning breeze, were known to the ancients, and are better known to the moderns.

\\Of Tobit's son.\*—Objection is justly taken to this use of the Apocrypha legend. It degrades, in place of adorning the subject.