E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Asmode’us.
The companion of Don Cle’ofas in The Devil on Two Sticks. (Chap. iii.)
1
Asmode’us flight. Don Cle’ofas, catching hold of his companion’s cloak, is perched on the steeple of St. Salva’dor. Here the foul fiend stretches out his hand, and the roofs of all the houses open in a moment, to show the Don what is going on privately in each respective dwelling.
2
“Could the reader take an Asmodeus-flight, and, waving open all roofs and privacies, look down from the roof of Notre Dame, what a Paris were it!”—Carlyle: French Revolution II., vi. chap. vi.
