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 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
201
THE BIRTH OF VIRTUE
When, long ago, the young world circling flewThrough wider reaches of a richer blue,
New-eyed, the men and maids saw, manifest,
The thoughts untold in one another's breast—
Each wish displayed, and every passion learned;
A look revealed them as a look discerned.
But sating Time with clouds o'ercast their eyes;
Desire was hidden, and the lips framed lies.
A goddess then, emerging from the dust,
Fair Virtue rose, the daughter of Distrust.
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |