Humility

Great poets fire the world with fagots big
That make a crackling racket,
But I'm content with but a whispering twig
To warm some single jacket.

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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Slander

FITCH:

'All vices you've exhausted, friend;
So all the papers say.'

PICKERING:

'Ah, what vile calumnies are penned!-
'Tis just the other way.'

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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Re-Edified

Lord of the tempest, pray refrain
From leveling this church again.
Now in its doom, as so you've willed it,
We acquiesce. But _you'll_ rebuild it.

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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Strained Relations

Says England to Germany: 'Africa's ours.'
Says Germany: 'Ours, I opine.'
Says Africa: 'Tell me, delectable Pow'rs,
What is it that ought to be mine?'

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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A Rendezvous

Nightly I put up this humble petition:
'Forgive me, O Father of Glories,
My sins of commission, my sins of omission,
My sins of the Mission Dolores.'

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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A Warning

Cried Age to Youth: 'Abate your speed!
The distance hither's brief indeed.'
But Youth pressed on without delay
The shout had reached but half the way

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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An Enemy To Law And Order

A is defrauded of his land by B,
Who's driven from the premises by C.
D buys the place with coin of plundered E.
'That A's an Anarchist!' says F to G.

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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Unexpounded

On Evidence, on Deeds, on Bills,
On Copyhold, on Loans, on Wills,
Lawyers great books indite;
The creaking of their busy quills
I've never heard on Right.

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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An Inscription

A conqueror as provident as brave,
He robbed the cradle to supply the grave.
His reign laid quantities of human dust:
He fell upon the just and the unjust.

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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The Rich Testator

He lay on his bed and solemnly 'signed,'
Gasping-perhaps 'twas a jest he meant:
'This of a sound and disposing mind
Is the last ill-will and contestament.'

poem by Ambrose Bierce
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