Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 7.djvu/53

Rh THE DEVIL'S DRIVE.

1.

Devil returned to Hell by two,

And he stayed at home till five;

When he dined on some homicides done in ragoût,

And a rebel or so in an Irish stew,

And sausages made of a self-slain Jew,

And bethought himself what next to do,

"And," quoth he, "I'll take a drive.

I walked in the morning, I'll ride to-night;

In darkness my children take most delight,

And I'll see how my favourites thrive.

2.

And what shall I ride in?" quoth Lucifer, then—

"If I followed my taste, indeed,

I should mount in a waggon of wounded men,

And smile to see them bleed.

But these will be furnished again and again,

And at present my purpose is speed;