Black Beetles in Amber

The Day of Judgment spread its glare

O'er continents and seas.

The graves cracked open everywhere,

Like pods of early peas.

Up to the Court of Heaven sped

The souls of all mankind;

Republicans were at the head

And Democrats behind.

Reub. Lloyd was there before the tube

Of Gabriel could call:

The dead in Christ rise first, and Reub.

Had risen first of all.

He sat beside the Throne of Flame

As, to the trumpet's sound,

Four statesmen of the Party Came

And ranged themselves around—

Pure spirits shining like the sun,

From taint and blemish free—

Great William Stow was there for one,

And George A. Knight for three.

Souls less indubitably white

Approached with anxious air,

Judge Blake at head of them by right

Of having been a Mayor.

His ermine he had donned again,

Long laid away in gums.

'Twas soiled a trifle by the stains

Of politicians' thumbs.

Then Knight addressed the Judge of Heaven:

"Your Honor, would it trench

On custom here if Blake were given

A seat upon the Bench?"

'Twas done. "Tom Shannon!" Peter cried.

He came, without ado,

In forma pauperis was tried,

And was acquitted, too!

Stow rose, remarking: "I concur."

Lloyd added: "That suits us.

I move Tom's nomination, sir,

Be made unanimous."