Now Jack was making to the post, The busy scene of won and lost, When to all those he saw around, He cried, 'I offer fifty pound, That to yon gambling place I get Before you all.' Death took the bet. The squire's mare was _Merry Joan_, And Death rode _Scrambling Skeleton_. They started, nor much time was lost Before they reach'd the gambling host: But ere they reach'd the betting pole, Which was the terminating goal, O'er a blind fiddler _Joan_ came down, With fatal force poor Jack was thrown, When a stone on the verdure laid Prov'd harder than the rider's head. Death way'd aloft his dart and fled. Plate 30. _The Dram-Shop._ Some find their death by sword and bullet, And some by fluids down the gullet. Death is discovered nefariously at work adulterating the spirit-casks with vitriol and aquafortis. Plate 31. _The Gaming-Table._ Whene'er Death plays, he's sure to win! He'll take each knowing gamester in. Death, the successful player, is shown stripping the table of the stakes and breaking the bank by force. But Death, who, as he roams about, May find the _Gaming Table_ out; * * * * * He enters; when the fearful shout Echoes around of 'turn him out.' 'No,' he replies, 'that gold is mine: Gamester, that gold you must resign. Now life's the main,' the spectre cries: He throws, and lo! the gamester dies. Plate 32. _The Battle._ Such is, alas, the common story Of blood and wounds, of death and glory. Death is engaged in serving a battery which is sweeping all before it. Plate 33. _The Wedding._ Plutus commands, and to the arms Of doting age she yields her charms. Death, with a wig, bands, and gown, is within the altar railings performing the marriage service with an air of mocking reverence; the actors in the marriage ceremony do not appear to have recognised the dread personage who is tying the nuptial knot, to be instantly cut asunder by the end of the effete bridegroom. Plate 34. _The Skaters._ On the frail ice, the whirring skate Becomes an instrument of fate. The scene represents one of the parks, the waters are frozen over and crowded with pleasure-seekers of both sexes indulging their amusement in the teeth of danger--nay, as it appears in the picture, in the very jaws of death. The skeleton foe is taking his pastime amongst the crowd, and combining relaxation with business. The ice is suddenly giving way in all directions, and the skaters are tripped up by the grim evolutionist. They are falling headlong into the water, fatal casualties are occurring on all sides, and the distant crowds, who are scrambling away incontinently since the arch-enemy has volunteered to share their pastime, are coming into violent collision, and falling on the ice, breaking their limbs or suffering fatal concussions. Plate 35. _The Duel._