Page:Highways and Byways in Lincolnshire.djvu/501



By a taper's faint blaze and with Luna's faint light That would sometimes emit them a ray, The cards were produced, and they cut with delight To know who with "Dumby" should play.

Exalted on basses the bravoes kneeled round Exulting and proud of the deed, To Dumby they bent with respect most profound And said "Sir! it is your turn to lead."

The game then commenced, when one offered him aid, And affected to guide his cold hand While another cried out, "Bravo! Dumby, well played, I see you've the cards at command."

Thus impious, they jokèd devoid of all grace, When dread sounds shook the walls of the church, And lo! Dumby sank down, and a ghost in his place Shrieked dismal "Haste! haste! save your lurch!"

Astounded they stared; but the fiend disappeared And Dumby again took his seat, So they deemed 'twas but fancy, nor longer they feared But swore that "Old Dumb should be beat."

Eight to nine was the game, Dumby's partner called loud "Speak once, my old friend, or we're done Remember our stake 'tis my coat or your shroud Now answer and win—can you one?"

"What silent, my Dumby, when most I you need Dame Fortune our wishes has crossed," When a voice from beneath, howled, "your fate is decreed The game and the gamesters are lost."

Then strange! most terrific and horrid to view! Three Demons thro' earth burst their way: Each one chose his partner, his arms round him threw And vanished in smoke with his prey.