THE DEVIL'S BAG

I saw the Devil walking down the lane

Behind our house.— There was a heavy bag

Strapped tightly on his shoulders, and the rain

Sizzled when it hit him. He picked a rag

Up from the ground and put it in his sack,

And grinned and rubbed his hands.

There was a thing

Moving inside the bag upon his back —

It must have been a soul! I saw it fling

And twist about inside, and not a hole

Or cranny for escape! Oh, it was sad!

I cried, and shouted out, “Let out that soul!”

But he turned round, and, sure, his face went mad,

And twisted up and down, and he said “Hell!”

And ran away.... Oh, mammy! I'm not well.