Poem for January 3, 2026

THE DEVIL got notice that Grose was a-dying

So whip! at the summons, old Satan came flying;

But when he approached where poor Francis lay moaning,

And saw each bed-post with its burthen a-groaning,

Astonish’d, confounded, cries Satan—“By G—,

I’ll want him, ere I take such a damnable load!”