64 TOBACCO IN EUROPE. 



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 consum'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, 

 Arc entertained with this celestial fume," 



that they remain there eternally smoking ; and our 

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



