The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil

[Candidquality]

Name: The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil
Author: Edward G. Flight
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK

One author's interpretation of the legends. Well worth the full read. part of the gutenburg project. full electronic copy linked below. copyright free. Small excerpt below. Very humorous and delves into the legality of the contract. The printed version has some nice plates with it, so you might want to ILL a copy if you can.


In days of yore, when saints were plenty,
(For each one now, you'd then find twenty,)
In Glaston's fruitful vale,
Saint Dunstan had his dwelling snug,
Warm as that inmate of a rug,
Named in no polished tale.

The holy man, when not employed
At prayers or meals, to work enjoyed
With anvil, forge, and sledge.
These he provided in his cell,
With saintly furniture as well;
So chroniclers allege.

The peaceful mattock, ploughshare, spade,
Sickle, and pruning-hook he made,
Eschewing martial labours.
Thus bees will rather honey bring,
Than hurtfully employ their sting
In warfare for their neighbours.

A cheerful saint too, oft would he
Mellow old Time with minstrelsy,--
But such as gave no scandal;
Than his was never harp more famed;
For Dunstan was the blacksmith named
Harmonious by Handel.

(cont'd) text only version
The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil / Flight, Edward G.

full download including original plates available at:
The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil by Edward G. Flight - Project Gutenberg

[ThomasPowers]

St Dunstan, as the story goes
once grabbed the Devil by the nose
with red hot tongs that made him roar
that could be heard 5 miles or more

Abridged Version from a book of nonsense verse