 | The collected works of Ambrose Bierce |  |
[When the world was young and Man was new]
When the world was young and Man was new,
And everything was pleasant,
Distinctions Nature never drew
'Mongst king and priest and peasant.
We're not that way at present,
Save here in this Republic, where
We have that old régime,
For all are kings, however bare
Their backs, howe'er extreme
Their hunger. And, indeed, each has a voice
To accept the tyrant of his party's choice.
And everything was pleasant,
Distinctions Nature never drew
'Mongst king and priest and peasant.
We're not that way at present,
Save here in this Republic, where
We have that old régime,
For all are kings, however bare
Their backs, howe'er extreme
Their hunger. And, indeed, each has a voice
To accept the tyrant of his party's choice.
A citizen who would not vote,
And, therefore, was detested,
Was one day with a tarry coat
(With feathers backed and breasted)
By patriots invested.
“It is your duty,” cried the crowd,
“Your ballot true to cast
For the man o' your choice.” He humbly bowed,
And explained his wicked past:
“That's what I very gladly would have done,
Dear patriots, but he has never run.”
And, therefore, was detested,
Was one day with a tarry coat
(With feathers backed and breasted)
By patriots invested.
“It is your duty,” cried the crowd,
“Your ballot true to cast
For the man o' your choice.” He humbly bowed,
And explained his wicked past:
213
Dear patriots, but he has never run.”
Apperton Duke.
| The collected works of Ambrose Bierce | |