I never lost as much but twice, 1
And that was in the sod.
Twice have I stood a beggar
Before the door of God!
Angels－twice descending 5
Reimbursed my store－
Burglar! Banker－Father!
I am poor once more!
And that was in the sod.
Twice have I stood a beggar
Before the door of God!
Angels－twice descending 5
Reimbursed my store－
Burglar! Banker－Father!
I am poor once more!
(F.39/J.49)
[1] lost:: failed in a card game called angel-beast.
[3] beggar:: one who loses a lot.
[4] door of God:: church door.
[5] Angels:: the game's stakes are called angels.
[7] Banker:: one who wins a lot. Father:: a priest.
Angel-beast, A game at cards. This gentleman offering to play at angel-beast with 'um, though he scarce know the cards, and has no more visible estate then what he may lose at a sitting. Sedley, The Mulberry Garden, 1668. ─ Dictionary of Obsolete and Provincial English (1857)
There was no skill in Angel-Beast. It was what is called a round game, and the issue depended mainly on luck, helped out by a little merry legerdemain amongst the players, when they had a mind to enliven the pastime by trying to filch the best cards in dealing. It was played in this way: five cards were dealt out to each person; three heaps were then formed, one for the King, one for the Play, and u third called Triolet, upon each of which the players placed money. Whoever had King took the stakes on that heap; whoever had most tricks took the stakes on the second heap, Play; and whoever had three cards of the same sort took Triolet. ─ The Fortnightly, Volume 2 (1865)