Public-domain source text

Inter Arma Silent Leges

by Ambrose Bierce

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/ambrose-bierce_poetry

(An Election Incident.)
About the polls the freedmen drew, To vote the freemen down; And merrily their caps up-flew As Grant rode through the town.
From votes to staves they next did turn, And beat the freemen down; Full bravely did their valour burn As Grant rode through the town.
Then staves for muskets they forsook, And shot the freemen down; Right royally their banners shook As Grant rode through the town.
Hail, final triumph of our cause! Hail, chief of mute renown! Grim Magistrate of Silent Laws, A-riding freedom down!

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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.

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