Of that imp, with his “fixins” all complete—

The elfish grin, the tangled hair,

The dragon wings and the scaly feet—

And you’ll have a notion of him I mean,

The demon of this, my opening scene.

I might go to Milton, and steal, bit by bit,

A description to suit my Spirit of Cant,

A second-hand suit, but a “shplendid fit,”

As a Jew would assure me—but then I sha’nt.

His work is to preach the humbug which passes