Black Beetles in Amber

As some enormous violet that towers

Colossal o'er the heads of lowlier flowers—

Its giant petals royally displayed,

And casting half the landscape into shade;

Delivering its odors, like the blows

Of some strong slugger, at the public nose;

Pride of two Nations—for a single State

Would scarce suffice to sprout a plant so great;

So Leverson's humility, outgrown

The meaner virtues that he deigns to own,

To the high skies its great corolla rears,

O'ertopping all he has except his ears.