Black Beetles in Amber

Sir, you're a veteran, revealed

In history and fable

As warrior since you took the field,

Defeating Abel.

As Commissary later (or

If not, in every cottage

The tale is) you contracted for

A mess of pottage.

In civil life you were, we read

(And our respect increases)

A man of peace—a man, indeed,

Of thirty pieces.

To paying taxes when you turned

Your mind, or what you call so,

A wide celebrity you earned—

Saphira also.

In every age, by various names,

You've won renown in story,

But on your present record flames

A greater glory.

Cain, Esau, and Iscariot, too,

And Ananias, likewise,

Each had peculiar powers, but who

Could lie as Mike lies?