THE DUELLISTS 
59 
 
And yet in a sense you have won—for you played 
All the beauty and passion and wit of a maid. 
 You are damned :  that is great !  you drained life to the  
lees !   
And I—I shall yawn at the end, I’m afraid. 
 
When Christ was in hell, Satan came—how he sneered !   
“ How’s this for a God ” and he laughed at His beard :   
 “ After Heaven ?  and Palestine ? ”—meant to offend. 
How mild the reply of the Saviour appeared !   
 
“ Between heaven and hell it were easy to choose :   
These ashes are scarce worth celestial dews. 
 But at least—if you must have it !  Satan, my friend, 
Your hell may be hot—but I do bar the Jews ! ”