Also known as "Lucifer's Challenge"

Contests with the devil are a fairly common occurance in English literature so I figured I'd give it a shot.

"Meet me tonight at the crossroads my brother,
Come swiftly alone and under night's cover,
For Death grins this night of the sky's full wheel,
A pact must we make and in our blood seal.

Whisper to me what thou desirest most,
Be it money or power or starry-eyed host,
I'll give it all to thee for but a small fee,
In years will I come to collect it from thee.

All thou needest do is sign upon the line,
And tommorrow thy desire willt thou find,
But be happy quick and your desires employ,
For no deal with the devil ever ended in joy."

"A bet you say? With the devil himself?
Then gamble we shall, my soul for your wealth.
A contest of ryhmes, our skills for to prove,
With words given wings make the other's heart move."

"Then I give you three days from this hour to write,
Then I'll meet you back here at the crossroads at night.
I will ride back to hell, to put you at shame
This bet I shall win, your soul will I claim."





"Three nights have passed, and we are returned,
The contract to honor, your soul for to burn,
As tradition goes it is I shall be first,
Prepare yourself brother, for your soul is cursed."

The Devil read first and when he was done,
The morning came hither and up rose the sun.
The Devil laughed as he finished his turn,
"Your contract I claim, your soul will I burn."

"Wait!" Cried the poet, "For my own winged words,
Your pride is your downfall and such is my sword,
My turn shall I have so hearest me well,
Your wealth shall be mine when I send you to hell"

The boy sang a rhyme so sad and so sweet,
That the devil himself could not help but weep,
It shone like a ruby from his all-gifted tongue,
The Devil sat weeping, the young bard had won!

The Devil cried "Mercy! Tis clear that you've won,
I give you my gold which doth glitter in the sun
Thou hast proven thyself a far better breed,
And I am the fool, to you I concede"

"Come back again Devil, if thou carest to try,
For never was there man as quick-witted as I,
I'll take this gold and I'll find me bride,
For your sin is now mine o the clever fool's pride,

Now go back to hell and pay for your sin,
For I shall be ready if thou ever come again"
With that the devil left with tongue all a'crass,
The poet proved worthy and the devil an ass.

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