The Winged Beetle

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 ! ”