The devil takes a hand in what is done in haste.

The devil takes a hand in what is done in haste.

Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).

Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).

When the devil drives, needs must. (Needs must when the devil
drives.)

When the devil drives, needs must. (Needs must when the devil
drives.)

His form had yet not lost
All his original brightness, not appear'd
Less than arch-angel ruined, and read more

His form had yet not lost
All his original brightness, not appear'd
Less than arch-angel ruined, and th' excess
Of glory obscured.

Talk of the devil, and his horns appear

Talk of the devil, and his horns appear

Satan is wiser now than before, and tempts by making rich instead of poor.

Satan is wiser now than before, and tempts by making rich instead of poor.

And bid the devil take the hin'most.

And bid the devil take the hin'most.

I call'd the devil, and he came,
And with wonder his form did I closely scan;
He read more

I call'd the devil, and he came,
And with wonder his form did I closely scan;
He is not ugly, and is not lame,
But really a handsome and charming man.
A man in the prime of life is the devil,
Obliging, a man of the world, and civil;
A diplomatist too, well skill'd in debate,
He talks quite glibly of church and state.

Abashed the Devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue in her own shape read more

Abashed the Devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue in her own shape how lovely; saw
And pined his loss.