Public-domain source text

Quintessence

by Ambrose Bierce

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/ambrose-bierce_poetry

“To produce these spicy paragraphs, which have been unsuccessfully imitated by every newspaper in the State, requires the combined efforts of five able-bodied persons associated on the editorial staff of this journal.”
Sir Muscle speaks, and nations bend the ear: “Hark ye these Notes⁠—our wit quintuple hear; Five able-bodied editors combine Their strength prodigious in each laboured line!”
O wondrous vintner! hopeless seemed the task To bung these drainings in a single cask; The riddle’s read⁠—five leathern skins contain The working juice, and scarcely feel the strain.
Saviours of Rome! will wonders never cease? A ballad cackled by five tuneful geese! Upon one Rocinante five stout knights Ride fiercely into visionary fights!
A cap and bells five sturdy fools adorn, Five porkers battle for a grain of corn, Five donkeys squeeze into a narrow stall, Five tumble-bugs propel a single ball!

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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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