THE DUKE DE L'OMELETTE (1832)

This is a generally silly "devil's bargain" spoof. The titular Duke is bearded in his home by "Baal-Zebub" himself, who wants to claim his soul. The Duke challenges the Devil to a card-game, wins, and avoids his fate. Like many of Poe's other humorous stories of his early period, this one doesn't translate well for current audiences, as it practically trips over itself trying to sound erudite.