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. |
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POEMS BY AMBROSE BIERCE |
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