Scattering the fire, with reckless ire,
The rafters caught the flame;
And bleating breed, and scabby steed
Were roasted in the same.
Now had that wight, that miller hight,
Vouchsafed his house to keep;
Ere he returned, it had not burned,
Nor burned his horse and sheep[1].
The boy, made happy by the present, returned home.
Master. My child, have you stolen your verses, or made them?
Celest. I made them, Sir.
He then read what we have given above; and the master, struck with the greatest astonishment at their uncommon beauty, exclaimed, "My dear boy, tell me if any one made these verses for you?"
- ↑ As these are probably the only verses on record of the devil's composition, (at least so well authenticated,) I cannot do less than transcribe them for the edification of the curious.
"Nexus ovem binam, per spinam traxit equinam;
Læsus surgit equus, pendet utrumque pecus.
Ad molendinum, pondus portabat equinum,
Dispergendo focum, se cremat atque locum,
Custodes aberant singula damna ferant."
