2 24 The Soverane Herbe 



Fierce as were the opponents of tobacco, its devotees 

 courageously defended their loved plant. James's 

 pamphlet may have been inspired by the ' Metamor- 

 phosis of Tobacco,' a kind of Ovidian poem published 

 anonymously in 1602, with a dedication to Drayton. 

 The poet tunes his lay to tobacco in a high strain : 



' Let me adore with my thrice happie pen 

 The sweele and sole delight of mortal men, 

 The Cornucopia of all earthly pleasure, 

 Where bankrupt Nature hath consumed her treasure.' 



In classic style he proceeds to narrate the birth of 

 this ' blessed offspring of an uncouth land.' Prome- 

 theus, recognising that his work was not perfect, 

 called together the elements to aid him in completing 

 creation. The Earth proposed that from her forehead 

 there should spring a plant which, touched with fire, 

 ' Shall breath into this lifeless corse inspire.' To the 

 creation of this plant the elements combined, but 

 their intention that the inspiration of the fume of 

 the plant — tobacco — should make man immortal 

 was ruined by Tellus carelessly adding too much 

 mud. This mistake roused Jupiter's anger, and 

 he banished the herb to the Unknown World 

 (America), where after many centuries it was dis- 

 covered by the Graces, who remained there smoking 

 it eternally. From this pretty conceit is drawn the 

 moral that the only way to study the Graces is to 

 smoke also, and so ingratiate one's self into their 

 favour. Our author provides an alternative story. 

 Jupiter became enamoured of a fair maiden of 



