And iron nails quite unmistakable;
For Dunstan, now become implacable,
Resolved Nick's hash to settle.

Satan, of this without forewarning,
Worse luck for him! the following morning,
With simper sauntered in;
Squinted at what the saint was doing,
But never smoked the mischief brewing,
Putting his foot in't; soon the shoeing
Did holy smith begin.

Oh! 'twas worth coin to see him seize
That ugly leg, and 'twixt his knees
Firmly the pastern grasp.
The shoe he tried on, burning hot,
His tools all handy he had got,
Hammer, and nails, and rasp.

A startled stare the devil lent,
Much wondering what St. Dunstan meant
This preluding to follow.
But the first nail from hammer's stroke
Full soon Nick's silent wonder broke,
For his shrill scream might then have woke
The sleepiest of Sleepy Hollow.

And distant Echo heard the sound
Vexing the hills for leagues around,
But answer would not render.