no mean Logician; He you pray to knows that."

Receiving no reply, Lucifer proceeded in these terms:

"Spinello, you have read the books that tell of me. You know of my
enterprise, and how I forsook Heaven to become the Prince of this
World. A tremendous adventure,--and a unique one, had not the Giants
in like fashion assailed the god Jupiter, as yourself have seen,
Spinello, recorded on an ancient tomb where this Titanic war is carved
in marble."

"It is true," said Spinello, "I have seen the tomb, shaped like a
great tun, in the Church of Santa Reparata at Florence. 'Tis a fine
work of the Romans."

"Still," returned Lucifer, smiling, "the Giants are not pictured on it
in the shape of frogs or chameleons or the like hideous and horrid
creatures."

"True," replied the painter, "but then they had not attacked the true
God, but only a false idol of the Pagans. 'Tis a mighty difference.
The fact is clear, Lucifer, you raised the standard of revolt against
the true and veritable King of Earth and Heaven."

"I will not deny it," said Lucifer. "And how many sorts of sins do you
charge me with for that?"

"Seven, it is like enough," the painter answered, "and deadly sins one
and all."

"Seven!" exclaimed the Angel of Darkness; "well! the number is
canonical. Everything goes by sevens in my history, which is close
bound up with God's. Spinello, you deem me proud, angry and envious. I
enter no protest, provided you allow that glory was my only aim. Do
you deem me covetous? Granted again; Covetousness is a virtue for
Princes. For Gluttony and Lust, if you hold me guilty, I will not
complain. Remains _Indolence_."

As he pronounced the word, Lucifer crossed his arms across his breast,
and shaking his gloomy head, tossed his flaming locks:

"Tell me, Spinello, do you really think I am indolent? Do you take me
for a coward? Do you hold that in my revolt I showed a lack of
courage? Nay! you cannot. Then it was but just to paint me in the
guise of a hero, with a proud countenance. You should wrong no one,
not even the Devil. Cannot you see that you insult Him you make prayer
to, when you give Him for adversary a vile, monstrous toad? Spinello,
you are very ignorant for a man of your age. I have a great mind to
pull your ears, as they do to an ill-conditioned schoolboy."

At this threat, and seeing the arm of Lucifer already stretched out
towards him, Spinello clapped his hand to his head and began to howl
with terror.