On a time the chiefs of the Synagogue, being mighty in prayer, obtained of the Lord that the Evil Spirit who had seduced the Jews to commit idolatry, and had brought other nations against them to overthrow their city and destroy the Temple, should be delivered into their hands for punishment; when by advice of Zachariah the prophet they put him in a leaden vessel, and secured him there with a weight of lead upon his face. By this sort of _peine forte et dure_, they laid him so effectually that he has never appeared since. Pursuing then their supplications while the ear of Heaven was open, they entreated that another Evil Spirit by whom the people had continually been led astray, might in like manner be put into their power. This prayer also was granted; and the Demon with whom Poets, Lovers and Ladies are familiar, by his heathen name of Cupid, was delivered up to them. _————folle per lui Tutto il mondo si fa. Perisca Amore, E saggio ognun sarà._[1] The prophet Zachariah warned them not to be too hasty in putting him to death, for fear of the consequences; ——You shall see A fine confusion in the country; mark it! But the prophet's counsel was as vain as the wise courtier's in Beaumont and Fletcher's tragedy, who remonstrated against the decree for demolishing Cupid's altars. They disregarded his advice; because they were determined upon destroying the enemy now that they had him in their power; and they bound their prisoner fast in chains, while they deliberated by what death he should die. These deliberations lasted three days; on the third day it happened that a new-laid egg was wanted for a sick person, and behold! no such thing was to be found throughout the kingdom of Israel, for since this Evil Spirit was in durance not an egg had been laid; and it appeared upon enquiry, that the whole course of kind was suspended. The chiefs of the Synagogue perceived then that not without reason Zachariah had warned them; they saw that if they put their prisoner to death, the world must come to an end; and therefore they contented themselves with putting out his eyes, that he might not see to do so much mischief, and let him go. [Footnote 1: METASTASIO.] Thus it was that Cupid became blind,—a fact unknown to the Greek and Roman Poets and to all the rhymesters who have succeeded them. The Rabbis are coarse fablers. Take away love, and not physical nature only, but the heart of the moral world would be palsied; This is the salt unto Humanity And keeps it sweet.[2] _Senza di lui Che diverrian le sfere, Il mar, la terra? Alla sua chiara face Si coloran le stelle; ordine e lume Ei lor ministra; egli mantiene in pace Gli' elemente discordi; unisce insieme Gli opposti eccessi; e con eterno giro, Che sembra caso, ed è saper profondo, Forma, scompone, e riproduce il mondo._[3] [Footnote 2: BEAUMONT & FLETCHER.] [Footnote 3: METASTASIO.]