Social Commentaries

France

by Ambrose Bierce 1842–c. 1914

From Shapes of Clay (1903)

Social Commentaries

Unhappy State! with horrors still to strive:
Thy Hugo dead, thy Boulanger alive;
A Prince who'd govern where he dares not dwell,
And who for power would his birthright sell--
Who, anxious o'er his enemies to reign,
Grabs at the scepter and conceals the chain;
While pugnant factions mutually strive
By cutting throats to keep the land alive.
Perverse in passion, as in pride perverse--
To all a mistress, to thyself a curse;
Sweetheart of Europe! every sun's embrace
Matures the charm and poison of thy grace.
Yet time to thee nor peace nor wisdom brings:
In blood of citizens and blood of kings
The stones of thy stability are set,
And the fair fabric trembles at a threat.

MLA

Bierce, Ambrose. “France.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bierce/377/.

Chicago

Bierce, Ambrose. “France.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bierce/377/.

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