ore the
deluge, as Moses teacheth us, openly professing that these
_genii_ can beget and have carnal copulation with woman'
(_Anatomy of Melancholy_, part i.). Robert Burton gives in
his adhesion to the sentiments of Lactantius (xiv. 15). It
seems that the later Jewish devils owe their origin
(according to the Talmudists, as represented by Pererius in
the _Anatomy_) to a former wife of Adam, called Lilis, the
predecessor of Eve.

Some tremendous results of diabolic connections appear in the
metrical romances of the twelfth or thirteenth century, as well
as in those early Anglo-Norman chroniclers or fabulists, who have
been at the pains to inform us of the pre-historic events of
their country. The author of the romance-poem of the well-known
Merlin--so famous in British prophecy--in introducing his hero,
enters upon a long dissertation on the origin of the infernal
arts. He informs us on the authority of 'David the prophet, and
of Moses,' that the greater part of the angels who rebelled under
the leadership of Lucifer, lost their former power and beauty,
and became 'fiendes black:' that instead of being precipitated
into 'helle-pit,' many remained in mid-air, where they still
retain the faculty of seducing mortals by assuming whatever
shape they please. These had been much concerned at the
miraculous birth of Christ; but it was hoped to counteract the
salutary effects of that event, by producing from some virgin a
semi-demon, whose office it should be to disseminate sorcerers
and wicked men. For this purpose the devil[85] prepares to seduce
three young sisters; and proceeds at once in proper disguise to
an old woman, with whose avarice and cunning he was well
acquainted. Her he engaged by liberal promises to be mediatrix in
the seduction of the elder sister, whom he was prevented from
attempting in person by the precautions of a holy hermit. Like
'the first that fell of womankind,' the young lady at length
consented; was betrayed by the _fictitious_ youth, and condemned
by the law to be burnt alive.

[85] Probably,

'Belial, the dissolutest spirit that fell,
The sensualist; and after Asmodai
The fleshliest Incubus.'--_Par. Reg._

The same fate, excepting the fearful penalty, awaited the second.
And now, too late, the holy hermit became aware of his disastrous
negligence. He strictly enjoined on the third and remaining
sister a constant watch. Her security, however, was th