Black Beetles in Amber - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 78

ONE AND ONE ARE TWO

The trumpet sounded and the dead Came forth from earth and ocean,And Pickering arose and sped Aloft with wobbling motion."What makes him fly lop-sided?" cried A soul of the elected."One ear was wax," a rogue replied, "And isn't resurrected."Below him on the pitted plain, By his abandoned hollow,His hair and teeth tried all in vain The rest of him to follow.Saint Peter, seeing him ascend, Came forward to the wicket,And said: "My mutilated friend, I'll thank you for your ticket.""The Call," said Pickering, his hand To reach the latch extended.Said Peter, affable and bland: "The free-list is suspended—"What claim have you that's valid here?" That ancient vilifierReflected; then, with look austere, Replied: "I am a liar."Said Peter: "That is simple, neat And candid Anglo-Saxon,But—well, come in, and take a seat Up there by Colonel Jackson."