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[FN#19] "Iblis," vulgarly written "Eblis," from a root meaning

The Despairer, with a suspicious likeness to Diabolos; possibly

from "Balas," a profligate. Some translate it The Calumniator, as

Satan is the Hater. Iblis (who appears in the Arab. version of

the N. Testament) succeeded another revolting angel Al-Haris; and

his story of pride refusing to worship Adam, is told four times

in the Koran from the Talmud (Sanhedrim 29). He caused Adam and

Eve to lose Paradise (ii. 34); he still betrays mankind (xxv.

31), and at the end of time he, with the other devils, will be

"gathered together on their knees round Hell" (xix. 69). He has

evidently had the worst of the game, and we wonder, with Origen,

Tillotson, Burns and many others, that he does not throw up the

cards.