PARTTHEFIRST

partthefirst

i

thedevilwassickandqueasyoflate,

andhissleepandhisappetitefail'dhim;

hisearstheyhungdown,andhistailitwasclapp'd

betweenhispoorhoofs,likeadogthat'sbeenrapp'd—

noneknewwhatthedevilail'dhim.

ii

hetumbledandtoss'donhismattresso'nights,

thatwasfitforafiend'sdisportal;

for'twasmadeofthefinestofthistlesandthorn,

whichalectoherselfhadgather'dinscorn

ofthebestdownbedsthataremortal.

iii

hisgiantlychestinearthquakesheaved,

withgroaningscorresponding;

andmincingandfewwerethewordshespoke,

whileasigh,likesomedelicatewhirlwind,broke

fromaheartthatseem'ddesponding.

iv

nowthedevilanoldwifehadforhisdam,

ithinknonee'erwasolder:

heryears—oldparr'swerenothingtothem;

andachickentoherwasmethusalem,

you'dsay,couldyoubeholdher.

v

sheremember'dchaosalittlechild,

strumminguponhandorgans;

atthebirthofoldnightagossipshesat,

theancientestthere,andwasgodmotherat

thechristeningofthegorgons.

vi

herbonespeep'dthrougharhinoceros'skin,

likeamummy'sthroughitscerement;

butshehadamother'sheart,andguess'd

whatpinch'dherson;whomshethusaddress'd

intermsthatbespokeendearment.

vii

"whatailsmynicky,mydarlingimp,

myluciferbright,mybeelze?

mypig,mypug-with-a-curly-tail,

youarenotwell.canamotherfail

toseethatwhichallhellsee?"

viii

"omotherdear,iamdying,ifear;

preparetheyew,andthewillow,

andthecypressblack:forigetnoease

bydayorbynightforthecursedfleas,

thatskipaboutmypillow."

ix