A Gentleman Went Awalking

A gentleman went awalking
And heard the people atalking
About hell
And the demons that therein dwell.
“Your soul
Is his goal,
He will steal it away
Ere close of day.
So beware
And have a care”
A priest did say.

The gentleman leaned upon his cane
And I maintain
That by the street lamp’s pale light,
I saw
That night
His claw
And a tail.
I returned home much shaken
Though I could have been mistaken,
About the tail …