ILLUSTRATED FROM ANGLING. 221 



Do you know I have called to drop you a line, 



For a party down below j 

 With some very particular friends to dine 



A snug half dozen or so ? 

 We are partners all in a sulphur mine 



Belzebub, Belial, and Co.' 



The Devil made sure, as well he might, 



Some capital sport to see ; 

 For the fish that was shy at that bait to bite 



A fish of no soul could be. 

 He hooked on the heart but oh, 'twas so light 



' Sure my shot is all cork ' quoth he. 



But the Alderman, though he would fain blow out 



On venison his dainty paunch, 

 Was too far north to hazard the gout 



And a fry to boot for a haunch : 

 So away from the bait he turned about, 



Like an hermit abstemiously staunch. 



The little boys laughed, and the Devil looked blue 



When he saw the Alderman gone : 

 He snapped in a passion his rod in two, 



And he swore with a monstrous yawn, 

 He might just as well for the good he could do 



Have been fishing in Phlegethon. 



Then from his meditative mind 



Rose a philosophic wight ; 

 A barbel, who had stemmed the flood 



With fin of wonderous might : 

 Each man of the Lea-bridge brotherhood 



Would have fainted at his bite. 



19 



