Brewer's: Spear of Ithuriel

(The), the slightest touch of which exposed deceit. Thus when Ithuriel touched with his spear Satan squatting like a toad close to the ear of Eve, the “toad” instantly resumed the form of Satan.

(Milton: Paradise Lost, bk. iv. 810-814.)

“The acute pen of Lord Halles, which, like Ithuriel's spear, conjured so many shadows from Scottish history, dismissed among the rest those of Banquo and Fleance.” —Sir W. Scott.

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