Page:Bierce - Collected Works - Volume 04.djvu/98

92 On a hero every second.
 * Best of all that goodly show,
 * I was but a laddie—O,
 * So long ago!

"The world is young, perverse, and bad,
 * The virtues all are wanting;

The gods are dead and men are mad
 * And wickedness is haunting

The human heart, an honored guest, As robbers of the night infest
 * A wayside inn in Camilhad.

"Hate walks the earth all unafraid.
 * And neighbor murders neighbor;

Greed draws on Greed the battle-blade,
 * And Labor strangles Labor.

The widow and the orphan cry For bread while benefactors ply
 * Unlashed by law, their dreadful trade.

"King, president, and patriot
 * Serve their accurst ambition;

The soldier and the sans-culottes,
 * The priest and politician,