64 TOBACCO IN EUEOPE. 



Let me adore with my thrice happie pen, 



The sweete and sole delight of mortal men ; 



The Cornucopia of all earthly pleasure, 



Where Bankrupt nature hath con sum' d her treasure. 



A worthy plant springing from Flora's hand, 



The blessed offspring of an uncouth land." 



Our author then proceeds to tell us — 



' ' On what occasion and by whom it stood, 

 That the blest world received so great a good." 



He imagines a " sudden parliament " called of the 

 Elements to hear Prometheus complain that his work 

 is not perfected, and ask their help. The Earth pro- 

 poses that — 



' ' A plant shall from my wrinkled forehead spring, 

 Which once inflam'd with the stolne heavenly fire, 

 Shall breath into this lifeless corse inspire." 



The Elements now combine to form " the herb 

 composed in despite of fate — " the tobacco-plant. 



" And had not Tellus temper' d too much mud, 

 Too much terrene corruption in the bud, 

 The man that tasted it should never die, 

 But stand in record of eternitie." 



Jupiter becomes enraged at this ; and banishes the 

 plant to a world unknown to Europe. Here it is long 

 hidden until the Graces travel to the New World, and 

 are much delighted when — 



' ' They in the palace of great Montezume, 

 Are entertained with this celestial fume," 



that they remain there eternally smoking ; and our 

 only chance of " studying the graces," according to our 



