Section: «Poems»
Verse (ancient Greek ὁ στίχος — row, structure), a term in versification used in several meanings:
artistic speech organized by division into rhythmically commensurate segments; poetry in the narrow sense; in particular, it implies the properties of versification of a particular tradition ("antique verse", "Akhmatova's verse", etc.);
a line of poetic text organized according to a certain rhythmic pattern ("My uncle of the most honest rules").
The Subdued Editor
Pope-choker Pixley sat in his denA-chewin' upon his quid.He thought it was Leo Thirteen, and thenHe bit it intenser, he did.The amber which overflew..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Statesmen
How blest the land that counts amongHer sons so many good and wise,To execute great feats of tongueWhen troubles rise.Behold them mounting every..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Spirit Of A Sponge
I dreamed one night that Stephen Massett died,And for admission up at Heaven applied.'Who are you?' asked St. Peter. Massett said:'Jeems Pipes, of..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Shafter Shafted
Well, James McMillan Shafter, you're a JudgeAt least you were when last I knew of you;And if the people since have made you budgeI did not notice it...
© Ambrose Bierce
The Setting Sachem
'Twas an Injin chieftain, in feathers all fine,Who stood on the ocean's rim;There were numberless leagues of excellent brineBut there wasn't enough..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Scurril Press
OM JONESMITH _(loquitur)_: I've slept right throughThe night-a rather clever thing to do.How soundly women sleep _(looks at his wife.)They're all..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Saint And The Monk
Saint Peter at the gate of Heaven displayedThe tools and terrors of his awful trade;The key, the frown as pitiless as night,That slays intending..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Royal Jester
Once on a time, so ancient poets sing,There reigned in Godknowswhere a certain king.So great a monarch ne'er before was seen:He was a hero, even to..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Rich Testator
He lay on his bed and solemnly 'signed,'Gasping-perhaps 'twas a jest he meant:'This of a sound and disposing mindIs the last ill-will and..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Retrospective Bird
His caw is a cackle, his eye is dim,And he mopes all day on the lowest limb;Not a word says he, but he snaps his billAnd twitches his palsied head..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Pun
Hail, peerless Pun! thou last and best,Most rare and excellent bequestOf dying idiot to the witHe died of, rat-like, in a pit!Thyself disguised, in..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Psoriad
The King of Scotland, years and years ago,Convened his courtiers in a gallant rowAnd thus addressed them:'Gentle sirs, from youAbundant counsel I..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Politician
'Let Glory's sons manipulateThe tiller of the Ship of State.Be mine the humble, useful toilTo work the tiller of the soil.'
© Ambrose Bierce
The Piute
Unbeautiful is the Piute!Howe'er bedecked with bravery,His person is unsavoryOf soap he's destitute.He multiplies upon the earthIn spite of all..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Perverted Village After Goldsmith
Sweet Auburn! liveliest village of the plain,Where Health and Slander welcome every train,Whence smiling innocence, its tribute paid,Retires in..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Passing Show
II know not if it was a dream. I viewedA city where the restless multitude,Between the eastern and the western deepHad reared gigantic fabrics..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Passing Of 'Boss' Shepherd
The sullen church-bell's intermittent moan,The dirge's melancholy monotone,The measured march, the drooping flags, attestA great man's progress to..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Opposing Sex
The Widows of AshurAre loud in their wailing:'No longer the 'masher'Sees Widows of Ashur!'So each is a lasherOf Man's smallest failing.The Widows of..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Oleomargarine Man
Once-in the county of Marin,Where milk is sold to purchase ginRenowned for butter and renownedFor fourteen ounces to the poundA bull stood watching..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Oakland Dog
I lay one happy night in bedAnd dreamed that all the dogs were dead.They'd all been taken out and shotTheir bodies strewed each vacant lot.O'er all..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Night Of Election
'O venerable patriot, I prayStand not here coatless; at the break of dayWe'll know the grand result-and even nowThe eastern sky is faintly touched..
© Ambrose Bierce
The New 'Ulalume'
The skies they were ashen and sober,The leaves they were crisped and sere,' ' ' withering ' 'It was night in the lonesome OctoberOf my most..
© Ambrose Bierce
The New Enoch
Enoch Arden was an ableSeaman; hear of his mishapNot in wild mendacious fable,As 't was told by t' other chap;For I hold it is a youthfulIndiscretion..
© Ambrose Bierce
The New Decalogue
Have but one God: thy knees were sore If bent in prayer to three or four. Adore no images save those The coinage of thy country shows. Take not..
© Ambrose Bierce
The Naval Constructor
He looked upon the ships as theyAll idly lay at anchor,Their sides with gorgeous workmen gayThe riveter and plankerRepublicans and..
© Ambrose Bierce