vain; all addition to that which is already sufficient for the
purposes of religion seems not only useless, but in some degree
profane.

Such events as were produced by the visible interposition of Divine
Power are above the power of human genius to dignify. The miracle
of creation, however it may teem with images, is best described with
little diffusion of language: "He spake the word, and they were
made."

We are told that Saul "was troubled with an evil spirit;" from this
Cowley takes an opportunity of describing hell, and telling the
history of Lucifer, who was, he says,


Once general of a gilded host of sprites,
Like Hesper leading forth the spangled nights;
But down like lightning, which him struck, he came
And roar'd at his first plunge into the flame.


Lucifer makes a speech to the inferior agents of mischief, in which
there is something of heathenism, and therefore of impropriety; and,
to give efficacy to his words, concludes by lashing his breast with
his long tail: Envy, after a pause, steps out, and among other
declarations of her zeal utters these lines:


Do thou but threat, loud storms shall make reply,
And thunder echo to the trembling sky;