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 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
142
TO ONE DETESTED
Sir, you're a veteran, revealed
In history and fable
As warrior since you took the field,
Defeating Abel.
In history and fable
As warrior since you took the field,
Defeating Abel.
As Commissary later (or
If not, in every cottage
The tale is) you contracted for
A mess of pottage.
If not, in every cottage
The tale is) you contracted for
A mess of pottage.
In civil life you were, we read
(And our respect increases)
A man of peace—a man, indeed,
Of thirty pieces.
(And our respect increases)
A man of peace—a man, indeed,
Of thirty pieces.
To paying taxes when you turned
Your mind, or what you call so,
A wide celebrity you earned—
Sapphira also.
Your mind, or what you call so,
A wide celebrity you earned—
Sapphira also.
In every age, by various names,
You've won renown in story,
But on your present record flames
A greater glory.
You've won renown in story,
But on your present record flames
A greater glory.
143
Cain, Esau, and Iscariot too,
And Ananias, likewise,
Each had peculiar powers, but who
Could lie as Mike lies?
And Ananias, likewise,
Each had peculiar powers, but who
Could lie as Mike lies?
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |