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. 

The Rocky Road to Dublin/The Adventures of Seumas Beg [1915]