# Old Nick — Poetry character guide

> Old Nick in Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Good Old Nick, Nick, sin Old Nick, Enter Old Nick

**First appearance:** 0000-poetry

## Who they are

Good Old Nick himself, the devil who strolls through Bierce's verse with unsettling familiarity, treating sin as a gentleman's pastime.

## In the story

### [Shapes of Clay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/shapes-of-clay)

Embodies the devilish influence in the proceedings, challenging divine order.

### [Metempsychosis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/metempsychosis)

The soul topped the neck of Nick the Weaver.

### [In High Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/in-high-life)

Referenced as 'Sexton Beëlzebub', managing the floor at the wedding.

### [The Scrap Heap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/the-scrap-heap)

A devilish figure involved in the infernal proceedings.

### [Foresight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/foresight)

Implied as the devil who tirelessly plans places to procure fuel for his fires.

### [Tidings of Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/tidings-of-good)

Observes the world's inequity and declares his intention to set things right.

### [Mr. Sheets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/mr-sheets)

Satan stands before Heaven's gate with a fraudulent ticket.

### [The Genesis of Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/the-genesis-of-crime)

Satan brings Stoneman and later Opportunity to fulfill God's command to create Crime.

### [Rejected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/rejected)

Satan who rejects the coffin sent C.O.D.

### [The Two Cavees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/the-two-cavees)

Appears to retrieve his tar-stick, which Pickering had taken; withdraws in tears.

### [The Fiend's Delight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/the-fiend-s-delight)

Appears as the devilish figure presiding over the torments in Hell.

### [Jerusalem, Old and New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/jerusalem-old-and-new)

Implied as the devil who still pitches the key, underscoring the persistence of sin.

### [CLXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/chapters/clxiii)

Referenced as the devil in the chapter's proverb.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/characters/old_nick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_se/characters