Chapter XXII.

The Pride of Life.

The curse of Iblis--Samaël as Democrat--His vindication by Christ and Paul--Asmodäus--History of the name--Aschmedai of the Jews--Book of Tobit--Doré's 'Triumph of Christianity'--Aucassin and Nicolette--Asmodeus in the convent--The Asmodeus of Le Sage--Mephistopheles--Blake's 'Marriage of Heaven and Hell'--The Devil and the artists--Sádi's Vision of Satan--Arts of the Devil--Suspicion of beauty--Earthly and heavenly mansions--Deacon versus Devil