ARMA VIRUMQUE

by: Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)

      "URS is a Christian army"; so he said
      A regiment of bangomen who led.
      "And ours a Christian navy," added he
      Who sailed a thunder-junk upon the sea.
      Better they know than men unwarlike do
      What is an army, and a navy too.
      Pray God there may be sent them by-and-by
      The knowledge what a Christian is, and why.
      For somewhat lamely the conception runs
      Of a brass-buttoned Jesus firing guns.

"Arma Virumque" is reprinted from The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce Vol. IV: Shapes of Clay. Ambrose Bierce. New York: Neale Publishing Company, 1910.

MORE POEMS BY AMBROSE BIERCE

RELATED LINKS

BROWSE THE POETRY ARCHIVE:

[ A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z ]

Home · Poetry Store · Links · Email · © 2002 Poetry-Archive.com