Public-domain source text

Incivism

by Ambrose Bierce

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/ambrose-bierce_poetry

“He’s no good citizen!” the crowd Of politicians cries aloud.
“How so?” says one.
“Because⁠—why, curse The man! while we deplete his purse Some air contentedly he hums, Or twiddles his incivic thumbs.”
“What more could you desire?”
“The whelp! We want him to stand in and help.”
“ Two crowds contend, his purse to twist Away⁠—pray which should he assist?”
“It matters not whose hand unsacks His shekels, for we all go snacks.”

Source record

This is a source transcription from Standard Ebooks, published in Past Poetry’s public-domain archive without line-by-line editorial notes. Public-domain source edition. Availability can vary by territory.

View the source edition →