 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
350
REPARATION
Beneath this monument which rears its head,A giant note of admiration—dead,
His life extinguished like a taper's flame,
John Ericsson is lying in his fame.
Behold how massive is the lofty shaft;
How fine the product of the sculptor's craft;
The gold how lavishly applied; the great
Man's statue how impressive and sedate!
Think what the cost was! It would ill become
Our modesty to specify the sum;
Suffice it that a fair per cent. we're giving
Of what we robbed him of when he was living.
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |