Black Beetles in Amber

Charles Shortridge once to St. Peter came.

"Down!" cried the saint with his face aflame;

"'Tis writ that every hardy liar

Shall dwell forever and ever in fire!"

"That's what I said the night that I died,"

The sinner, turning away, replied.

"What! you said that?" cried the saint—"what! what!

You said 'twas so writ? Then, faith, 'tis not!

I'm a devil at quoting, but I begin

To fail in my memory. Pray walk in."