Snakes in Tradition. 67 



But straight on both the Hebrew serpent flew, 

 Broke both their active backs, and both it slew, 

 And both almost at once devoured." 



But it will be seen that here the poet as much detracts 

 from the authorised narrative as previously he had added to 

 it, inasmuch as from Holy Writ we gather that Aaron's rod 

 devoured more than two of the others, for the verse runs, 

 "They cast down every man his rod and they became 

 serpents : but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods." For 

 myself I confess I have always imagined fancy being led 

 thereto by a picture in an illustrated Bible which much 

 attracted me in childhood that the floor of Pharaoh's 

 palace was fairly littered with snakes, and that no part of the 

 miracle was quite so miraculous as Aaron's serpent which, 

 as depicted, was no bigger than most, and not so big as 

 some being able to contain all the rest. Doubtless my 

 timid scepticism on this point was conciliated by being 

 reminded of the extraordinary containing-capacity of other 

 kinds of snakes, and by some such zoological " fact " as the 

 boa-constrictor's habit of swallowing bulls. 



Crashaw has exactly the same story as that of the 

 " Davideis," except that Cruelty takes the place of Envy. 

 Lucifer, " mischiefs old Master," hears in Hell of the birth 

 of the Messiah, and determines to baulk the Almighty. He 

 summons his ministers, and, though many volunteer, he 

 selects Cruelty whom the poet calls "the fourth Fury" 

 and sends her forth to pervert Herod. Assuming the shape 

 of Father Joseph, she approaches the sleeping Tetrarch, and, 

 in language very similar indeed to that of the "Davideis," fills 

 his breast with the horrible suggestion of the Massacre of 

 the Innocents. " Be Herod," she whispers, and vanishes. 



" So said her richest snake, which to her wrist, 



For a beseeming bracelet she had tied, 

 (A special worm it was, as ever kissed 

 The foamy lips of Cerberus) she applied 



