Black Beetles in Amber

Old Nick from his place of last resort

Came up and looked the world over.

He saw how the grass of the good was short

And the wicked lived in clover.

And he gravely said: "This is all, all wrong,

And never by me intended.

If to me the power should ever belong

I shall have this thing amended."

He looked so solemn and good and wise

As he made this observation

That the men who heard him believed their eyes

Instead of his reputation.

So they bruited the matter about, and each

Reported the words as nearly

As memory served—with additional speech

To bring out the meaning clearly.

The consequence was that none understood,

And the wildest rumors started

Of something intended to help the good

And injure the evil-hearted.

Then Robert Morrow was seen to smile

With a bright and lively joyance.

"A man," said he, "that is free from guile

Will now be free from annoyance.

"The Featherstones doubtless will now increase

And multiply like the rabbits,

While jailers, deputy sheriffs, police,

And writers will form good habits.

"The widows more easily robbed will be,

And no juror will ever heed 'em,

But open his purse to my eloquent plea

For security, gain, or freedom."

When Benson heard of the luck of the good

(He was eating his dinner) he muttered:

"It cannot help me, for 'tis understood

My bread is already buttered.

"My plats of surveys are all false, they say,

But that cannot greatly matter

To me, for I'll tell the jurors that they

May lick, if they please, my platter."