University of Virginia Library

LETTER To the Devil from his Son,

In answer to the foregoing.

My much rever'd and honour'd sire,
Your letters came to hand,
I'm proud to do as you desire—
To act as you command.
I wonder much, dear sir, that you
Who know mankind so well,
Should be surpriz'd at what I do,
At aught I write or tell.
You know my skill has always laid
In hypocritic face,
And what I've ever done, or said,
Was nothing but grimace.
Don't mind, I pray, what blockheads say
About my turning good:
'Tis true I gave some wheat away,
But 'twas not fit for food.
I sold some pork, but then I knew
'Twould poison those who ate;
I meant it for the rebel crew;
Your foes I meant to cheat.
I preach'd, but you'd have laugh'd, I swear,
To hear me roar and rant,
With all my father's look and leer,
And hypocritic cant.
I look'd so good, so very mild,
So cunning, and so civil,
E'en you'd have thought your darling child
Did preach against the devil.
Thus did I damn your name to gain
More honour to myself;
And thus in private to obtain
Rich stores of worldly pelf.
Of all the fiends who serve thy laws,
With all their art and pains,
Not one advances so thy cause,
As he who virtue feigns.
Then blame me not; to wear disguise
Your son you tutor'd well:
Tho' men my sanctity may prize,
I'll join you all in hell.
I fell upon a scheme of late,
In which I top'd my part;
Cried I, this poor afflicted state,
My friends, affects my heart.
Your present leaders are all fools;
Your burgess is a dunce;
You are all slaves, you are but tools;
I'll set you right at once.
I then propos'd, to stop all trade,
I'd public agent be,
Advis'd what bargains might be made,
If they would trust to me.
I wanted much to cheat the state,
So swore, I would be true:
I've dropp'd all trade myself of late
And now I'll cheat for you.
These little arts but trifles are,
To those I'll practise soon;
So, dear Papa, you'll please prepare
The kingdom for your Son.