XIV. THE MONGREL.

I FIND the natural philosopher, making a character of the lion’s disposition, amongst other his qualities reporteth, that first the lion feedeth on men, and afterwards, if forced with extremity of hunger, on women.³²³²In viros priusquam in feminas saevit. Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. viii. cap. 10.

Satan is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Only he inverts the method, and in his bill of fare takes the second course first. Ever since he over-tempted our grandmother Eve, encouraged with success, he hath preyed first on the weaker sex. It seems he hath all the vices, not the virtues, of that king of beasts; a wolf-lion, having his cruelty without his generosity.