1831.] Paganhii's Interview with Satan. 23» 



Came sweet, and full, and rich, and clear. 

 Upon his so-astonished ear. 



He scarcely could believe it might be played 

 Upon the best Cremona ever made ; 

 Yet 'twas all brought from that one string alone. 

 Indeed, 'twas so divine. 

 That I must say. 

 Doubt it who may, 

 'Twas really devilish fine ! 

 Down went the fiddler on his knees. 



With clasped hands, and pleasure-beaming eye ; 

 His look grew more ecstatic by degrees. 

 As the soft notes in cadences went by ; 

 At last, he said — 



" Oh, thou most heavenly devil ! let me play 

 With half the glory by thy music shed. 



And I will be thy slave for ever and a day !" 

 The Devil, either in scorn or pride. 

 First laid the one-stringed fiddle aside ; 

 And with a grin satanic laughed aloud — 

 Oh ! what a horrid sound 

 That laugh prolonged around ! 

 'Twas worse than Milton's Pandemonium crowd. 



And seemed as like 0. Smith's as anything could be 



Then thus spoke he : — 



" Mortal ! I will give thee skill 

 O'er the world the soul to thrill ; 

 By my art and magic power. 

 Live unrivalled from this hour. 

 Take thy violin, and soon. 

 Whether in or out of tune. 

 There shall sweeter sounds arise 

 Than were wafted from the skies. 

 When thy bow shall touch the string. 

 Any sound that touch shall bring. 

 Which thy genius may inspire. 

 Or thy audience may require ; 

 But all shall come so sweet and clear, 

 , As ne'ei was heard by mortal ear. 



Thou shalt soon have gained more fame. 

 Than the glorious dead may claim ; 

 All the windows shall possess 

 Full-lengths of thy form and dress ; 

 And thou'lt get from many a master 

 Immortality in plaster. 

 Gold shall come to thee in showers. 

 To delight thy leisure hours ; 

 Wheresoe'er thou shalt appear. 

 Crowds shall come thy skill to hear ; 

 Theatres at such a crisis 

 Shall be filled at double prices. 

 Where the world shall bow before thee. 

 And the women shall adore thee ; 

 All most fair and most divine 

 Leave their Ijcuitx to gaze on thine. 

 Say, mortal ! say, dost thou agree } 

 If so, this moment thou art free." 



The fiddler swore a horrid oath. 

 And wrote it in the blood of both. 



