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").
An Idler
Who told Creed Haymond he was witty?-whoHad nothing better in this world to do?Could no greased pig's appeal to his embraceKindle his ardor for the..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Explanation
'I never yet exactly could determineJust how it is that the judicial ermineIs kept so safely from predacious vermin.''It is not so, my friend: though..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Exile
'Tis the census enumeratorA-singing all forlorn:It's ho! for the tall potater,And ho! for the clustered corn.The whiffle-tree bends in the breeze and..
© Ambrose Bierce
An 'Exhibit'
Goldenson hanged! Well, Heaven forbidThat I should smile above him:Though truth to tell, I never didExactly love him.It can't be wrong, though, to..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Example
They were two deaf mutes, and they loved and theyResolved to be groom and bride;And they listened to nothing that any could say,Nor ever a word..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Epitaph [here Lies Greer Harrison, A Well Cracked Louse]
Here lies Greer Harrison, a well cracked louseSo small a tenant of so big a house!He joyed in fighting with his eyes (his fistPrudently pendent from..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Epitaph [hangman's Hands Laid In This Tomb An]
Hangman's hands laid in this tomb anImp of Satan's getting, whom anAncient legend says that womanNever bore-he owed his birthTo Sin herself. From..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Enemy To Law And Order
A is defrauded of his land by B,Who's driven from the premises by C.D buys the place with coin of plundered E.'That A's an Anarchist!' says F to G.
© Ambrose Bierce
An Average
I ne'er could be entirely fondOf any maiden who's a blonde,And no brunette that e'er I sawHad charms my heart's wholewarmth to draw.Yet sure no girl..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Augury
Upon my desk a single spray,With starry blossoms fraught.I write in many an idle way,Thinking one serious thought.'O flowers, a fine Greek name ye..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Art Critic
Ira P. Rankin, you've a nasal nameI'll sound it through 'the speaking-trump of fame,'And wondering nations, hearing from afarThe brazen twang of its..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Apologue
A traveler observed one dayA loaded fruit-tree by the way.And reining in his horse exclaimed:'The man is greatly to be blamedWho, careless of good..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Anarchist
False to his art and to the high commandGod laid upon him, Markham's rebel handBeats all in vain the harp he touched before:It yields a jingle and it..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Alibi
A famous journalist, who longHad told the great unheaded throngWhate'er they thought, by day or night.Was true as Holy Writ, and right,Was caught..
© Ambrose Bierce
An Actor
Some one ('tis hardly new) has oddly saidThe color of a trumpet's blare is red;And Joseph Emmett thinks the crimson shameOn woman's cheek a..
© Ambrose Bierce
Alone
In contact, lo! the flint and steel,By sharp and flame, the thought revealThat he the metal, she the stone,Had cheris
© Ambrose Bierce
Again
Well, I've met her again-at the Mission.She'd told me to see her no more;It was not a command-a petition;I'd granted it once before.Yes, granted it..
© Ambrose Bierce
Adair Welcker, Poet
The Swan of Avon died-the SwanOf Sacramento'll soon be gone;And when his death-song he shall coo,Stand back, or it will kill you too.
© Ambrose Bierce
Ad Moodium
Tut! Moody, do not try to showTo gentlemen and ladiesThat if they have not 'Faith,' they'll goHeadlong to Hades.Faith is belief; and how can IHave..
© Ambrose Bierce
Ad Cattonum
I know not, Mr. Catton, who you are,Nor very clearly why; but you go farTo show that you are many things besideA Chilean Consul with a tempting..
© Ambrose Bierce
Accepted
Charles Shortridge once to St. Peter came.'Down!' cried the saint with his face aflame;''Tis writ that every hardy liarShall dwell forever and ever..
© Ambrose Bierce
A Year's Casualties
Slain as they lay by the secret, slow,Pitiless hand of an unseen foe,Two score thousand old soldiers have crossedThe river to join the loved and..
© Ambrose Bierce
A Wreath Of Immortelles
Judge Sawyer, whom in vain the people triedTo push from power, here is laid aside.Death only from the bench could ever startThe sluggish load of his..
© Ambrose Bierce
A Wreath Of Immortelles
LORING PICKERING_(After Pope)_Here rests a writer, great but not immense,Born destitute of feeling and of sense.No power he but o'er his brain..
© Ambrose Bierce
A Word To The Unwise
Charles Main, of Main & Winchester, attendWith friendly ear the chit-chat of a friendWho knows you not, yet knows that you and heTravel two roads..
© Ambrose Bierce