The Lincoln Imp
Photographed in its actual position in the Angel Choir
of Lincoln Cathedral by S. Smith
The Legend
of the
Lincoln Imp
by H. J. Kesson
(Ursus)
Lincoln: J. W. Ruddock & Sons Ltd
The
Legend
of the
Lincoln
Imp
To my friend
E. B. K. D.
COPYRIGHT
First edition 1904
Reprinted 1907, 1911, 1919, 1922, 1923,
1925, 1927, 1930, 1935, 1939, 1941, 1944.
The Legend of the Lincoln Imp
The devil was in a good humour one day,
And let out his sprightly young demons to play.
One dived in the sea, and was not at all wet,
One jumped in a furnace: no scorch did he get;
One rode on a rainbow; one delved in the dirt;
One handled fork lightning, nor got any hurt;
One strode on the wind as he would on a steed,
And thus to old Lindum was carried with speed,
Where aldermen heard him conceitedly say
"There'll be, ere I leave it, the devil to pay."
One strode on the wind as he would on a steed
"And now," says the Imp, "take me into the church;
"His lordship of Lindum I'll knock off his perch;
"I'll blow up the chapter, and blow up the dean;
"The canons I'll cannon right over the screen;
"I'll blow up the singers, bass, tenor, and boy;
"And the blower himself shall a blowing enjoy;
"The organist, too, shall right speedily find
"That I'll go one better in raising the wind;
"I'll blow out the windows, and blow out the lights,
"Tear vestments to tatters, put ritual to rights!
"And e'en the poor verger who comes in my road
"Will find"—vulgar Imp!—"he may likewise be blow'd."
Now the wind has his faults, but you'll find on the whole
If somewhat uncouth, he's an orthodox soul;
He wouldn't blow hard on a monarch, I ween,
Nor ruffle the robes of a bishop or dean;
And if for dissent