Ambrose Bierce

In Memoriam

Beauty (they called her) wasn't a maid
Of many things in the world afraid.
She wasn't a maid who turned and fled
At sight of a mouse, alive or dead.
She wasn't a maid a man could 'shoo'
By shouting, however abruptly, 'Boo!'
She wasn't a maid who'd run and hide
If her face and figure you idly eyed.
She was'nt a maid who'd blush and shake
When asked what part of the fowl she'd take.
(I blush myself to confess she preferred,
And commonly got, the most of the bird.)
She wasn't a maid to simper because
She was asked to sing-if she ever was.

In short, if the truth must be displayed
_In puris_-Beauty wasn't a maid.
Beauty, furry and fine and fat,
Yawny and clawy, sleek and all that,
Was a pampered and spoiled Angora cat!

I loved her well, and I'm proud that she
Wasn't indifferent, quite, to me;
In fact I have sometimes gone so far
(You know, mesdames, how silly men are)
As to think she preferred-excuse the conceit
_My_ legs upon which to sharpen her feet.
Perhaps it shouldn't have gone for much,
But I started and thrilled beneath her touch!

Ah, well, that's ancient history now:
The fingers of Time have touched my brow,
And I hear with never a start to-day
That Beauty has passed from the earth away.
Gone!-her death-song (it killed her) sung.
Gone!-her fiddlestrings all unstrung.
Gone to the bliss of a new _regime
Of turkey smothered in seas of cream;
Of roasted mice (a superior breed,
To science unknown and the coarser need
Of the living cat) cooked by the flame
Of the dainty soul of an erring dame
Who gave to purity all her care,
Neglecting the duty of daily prayer,
Crisp, delicate mice, just touched with spice
By the ghost of a breeze from Paradise;
A very digestible sort of mice.

Let scoffers sneer, I propose to hold
That Beauty has mounted the Stair of Gold,
To eat and eat, forever and aye,
On a velvet rug from a golden tray.
But the human spirit-that is my creed
Rots in the ground like a barren seed.
That is my creed, abhorred by Man
But approved by Cat since time began.
Till Death shall kick at me, thundering 'Scat!'
I shall hold to that, I shall hold to that.

poem by Ambrose BierceReport problemRelated quotes
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If I Ever Marry, I'll Marry A Maid

If ever I marry, I'll marry a maid;
To marry a widow, I am sore afraid:
For maids they are simple, and never will grutch,
But widows full oft, as they say, know too much.

A maid is so sweet, and so gentle of kind,
That a maid is the wife I will choose to my mind
A widow is froward, and never will yield;
Or if such there be, you will meet them but seeld.

A maid ne'er complaineth, do what so you will;
But what you mean well, a widow takes ill:
A widow will make you a drudge and a slave,
And, cost ne'er so much, she will ever go brave.

A maid is so modest, she seemeth a rose
When it first beginneth the bud to unclose;
But a widow full-blowen full often deceives,
And the next wind that bloweth shakes down all her leaves.

The widows be lovely, I never gainsay,
But too well all their beauty they know to display;
But a maid hath so great hidden beauty in store,
She can spare to a widow, yet never be poor.

Then, if ever I marry, give me a fresh maid,
If to marry with any I be not afraid;
But to marry with any, it asketh much care;
And some bachelors hold they are best as they are.

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Seasons of My Love

I loved a maid as fair as summer, with sunrise in her hair
There lived no other in the world could in my heart compare
Her eyes were stars of midnight bliss, her laugh a meadow breeze
I would have done all that she asked, so quick was I to please

I loved a maid as red as autumn, with sunset in her hair
Embraced in velvet lullabies, such sweetness did we share
We were all we ever had but we were wild and free
And in the lands you would not find a soul as lark as me

I loved a maid as white as winter, with snowflakes in her hair
The seasons of our love had both a beauty and despair
Two hearts that beat as one were we, our song was meant to be
And in the skies you would not find a dove as spry as she


I loved a maid as bright as spring, with blossoms in her hair
I loved her fierce, I loved her true, we were doomed; we did not care
The hands of time would take from me, even she was not to spare
In the whispers of my dreams, I still see my maiden fair

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Many What If’s And More

What if Cinderella wasn’t a princess
But the advertiser of a new flavored jellybean
What if Snow White wasn’t pretty
But the ugliest hag ever seen
What if soccer wasn’t a game
But a new kind of disease
What if an oven isn’t used for warming food
But to make them freeze
What if tom wasn’t a cartoon
But a new mechanical device
That help cats in catching mice
Get very quick and wise
What if Jerry wasn’t a mouse
But another name for cherry
What if a mountain wasn’t mountain
But a new kind of berry
What if shoes weren’t used on feet
But to help us see
What if I wasn’t myself
I wonder who’d write this instead of me!

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Solatium

Comes the broken flower -
Comes the cheated maid -
Though the tempest lower,
Rain and cloud will fade!
Take, O maid, these posies:
Though thy beauty rare
Shame the blushing roses,
They are passing fair!
Wear the flowers till they fade;
Happy be thy life, O maid!

O'er the season vernal,
Time may cast a shade;
Sunshine, if eternal,
Makes the roses fade:
Time may do his duty;
Let the thief alone -
Winter hath a beauty
That is all his own.
Fairest days are sun and shade:
Happy be thy life, O maid!

poem by William Schwenck GilbertReport problemRelated quotes
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He and She

[HE.] I know a youth who loves a little maid -
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Silent is he, for he's modest and afraid -
(Hey, but he's timid as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] I know a maid who loves a gallant youth -
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
SHE cannot tell him all the sad, sad truth -
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
[BOTH.] Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?

[HE.] He cannot eat and he cannot sleep -
(Hey, but his face is a sight for to see!)
Daily he goes for to wail - for to weep -
(Hey, but he's wretched as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] She's very thin and she's very pale -
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
Daily she goes for to weep - for to wail -
(Hey, but I think that little maid will die!)
[BOTH.] Now tell me pray, and tell me true,
What in the world should the poor soul do?

[SHE.] If I were the youth I should offer her my name -
(Hey, but her face is a sight for to see!)
[HE.] If I were the maid I should fan his honest flame -
(Hey, but he's bashful as a youth can be!)
[SHE.] If I were the youth I should speak to her to-day -
(Hey, but she sickens as the days go by!)
[HE.] If I were the maid I should meet the lad half way -
(For I really do believe that timid youth will die!)
[BOTH.] I thank you much for your counsel true;
I've learnt what that poor soul ought to do!

poem by William Schwenck GilbertReport problemRelated quotes
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Can a Maid That Is Well Bred

Can a maid that is well bred,
Hath a blush so lovely red,
Modest looks, wise, mild, discreet,
And a nature passing sweet,
Break her promise, untrue prove,
On a sudden change her love,
Or be won e'er to neglect
Him to whom she vow'd respect?

Such a maid, alas, I know.
Oh that weeds 'mongst corn should grow,
Or a rose should prickles have,
Wounding where she ought to save!
I that did her parts extol,
Will my lavish tongue control.
Outward parts do blind the eyes,
Gall in golden pills oft lies.

Reason wake, and sleep no more,
Land upon some safer shore;
Think on her and be afraid
Of a faithless fickle maid.
Of a faithless flckle maid
Thus true love is still betray'd.
Yet it is some ease to sing
That a maid is light of wing.

poem by Martin PeersonReport problemRelated quotes
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A Man Needs A Maid

My life is changing in so many ways
I dont know who to trust anymore
Theres a shadow running thru my days
Like a beggar going from door to door.
I was thinking that maybe Id get a maid
Find a place nearby for her to stay.
Just someone to keep my house clean,
Fix my meals and go away.
A maid. a man needs a maid.
A maid.
Its hard to make that change
When life and love turns strange.
And old.
To give a love, you gotta live a love.
To live a love, you gotta be part of
When will I see you again?
A while ago somewhere I dont know when
I was watching a movie with a friend.
I fell in love with the actress.
She was playing a part that I could understand.
A maid. a man needs a maid.
A maid.
When will I see you again?

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The World Is In Pain

This world was once as bright as gold
With happy people young and old
But then as the people tell
To the evil goodness began to sell

The world wasn’t as bad as it is
With people’s tears coming out as rain
It wasn’t filled with darkness
It wasn’t like today - The World Is In Pain

And as the darkness began to prevail
So says the story tellers tale
From bad to worse, and worse to worst
It felt as if the whole world would burst

The world wasn’t filled with all sorts of crimes
With all the people going insane
The world wasn’t filled with killers and bandits
It wasn’t like today - The World Is In Pain

Now evil is ruling and angels are dieing
No truth is there and the people are lying
And as the truth is overpowered by lie
Over all places the dark clouds fly

The world wasn’t filled with lies
With search of truth ending in vain
The world wasn’t filled with darkness
It wasn’t like today - The World Is In Pain

poem by Vidushi KheraReport problemRelated quotes
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Rock & Roll Band

[false start]
We just sat there
[rock & roll band]
We just sat there
Never ever thinkin'
We'd get much older.
Layin' out on the beach
With our heads on each other's shoulder,
And we flagged the highway drivers down,
And get a ride to nowhere.
That means sit somewhere out of town,
We never ever had a care.
Wasn't that a time,
Yeah, so wasn't that a soul time.
Wasn't that a time,
Wasn't that a soul time.
And we stayed out all night long,
And never ever wanted to go home then.
Crossed the fields and streams,
In meadows we did roam then.
And we did not wanna question,
And never asked for why,
And we look back in sad remembrance
And we softly sigh.
And wasn't that a time,
Yes, wasn't that a soul time.
Wasn't that a time,
Yeah, wasn't that a soul time.
And we danced, we danced, we danced
To a rock & roll band.
And we danced, we danced, we danced, we danced
To a rock & roll band
With the three guitars
And the drums
And the saxophone.
And we just sat there on the beach
Never ever thinkin' we'd get much older.
So far out of reach
With our heads on each other's shoulder.
Flagged the highway drivers down,
And we get a lift to nowhere,
Somewhere out of town.
We never ever had a care.
Wasn't that a time,
Yeah, wasn't that a soul time.
Wasn't that a time,
Wasn't that a soul time,
When we danced, we danced, we danced
To a rock and roll band,
And we danced, we danced, we danced
To a rock and roll band
With the three guitars
And the drums
And the saxophone.

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Ben E. King

We were doing things with a hundred per cent feeling. It wasn't programmed. It wasn't asked for. It wasn't structured. It was just there. It was very raw. I don't think the industry would allow that to happen again.

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The Old Man's Saddest Story

We sat about the fireplace listening to the old man's tales
Of the youthful years of life he spent in lovely Alder Vale
He told some happy stories but he told some sad one's too
And the saddest story that he told I will relate to you.

'Twas the story of young Joaney Ryan who died whilst in her prime
When the fruits were ripe for picking in September's harvest time
She died at twenty three years old the valley beauty queen
And a fairer maid since her time the old man has not seen.

She was the most beautiful maid the old man ever knew
With sheeny hair of raven black and sparkling eyes of blue
Yet for all of her splendid beauty she did not show conceit
A better mannered girl than her no man could wish to meet.

Beauty it can take a woman quite a long, long way
But beauty quickly withers like the flowers that bloom in May,
You cannot judge a woman by her beauty or her dress
You can only judge a woman by the manner she possess.

He must have loved this lovely maid he must have loved her so
Who died in September forty six years ago
For as he told her story a tear showed in each eye
And it seemed quite clear to all of us that he was near to cry.

She died in a hospital this lady like woman
From Leuchaemia a disease that greatly curtail life's span
On the tenth day of September her remains were put to earth
Twenty three years and thirty six days from the day of her birth.

In each human's life story there is some share of woe
And the old man's saddest thoughts are of a maid he used to know
Who died of Leuchaemia whilst only in her prime
When the fruits were ripe for picking in September's harvest time.

poem by Francis DugganReport problemRelated quotes
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I Wasn't The One

Your eyes and my eyes haven't talked in quite a while
Seems like a lifetime since i walked beside your smile
There's a dark cloud that's hanging above
Memories never lie
Still we talk about the way that it was
And i think we both know the feeling hasn't died
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And i won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da da
Your touch and my touch haven't spoken for some time
You say we've both changed and your always on my mind
I can tell you that it's over and done but i would only lose
Being close to the want that i want
So go on and ask me if i'm still in love with you
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And i won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da da
There was no need for you to ask - please don't ask
You oughta know by now, ooo babe, i want you back
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night

song performed by by Peter CeteraReport problemRelated quotes
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I Wasn't Looking For You

It never crossed my mind
It never mattered much
Who was going to be there for me to hold and touch
I never thought I'd care
Like I do, oooh
I wasn't looking for you
Must've been blind
I couldn't see
There was going to be that someone waiting for me
You stole my heart
Nothing I could do, oooh
I wasn't looking for you
It was the easiest thing I ever had to do
Lay down my heart, lay down yours too
Spend all my life not knowing who, oooh
I wasn't looking for you
It never crossed my mind
It never mattered much
Now I need you more than ever to hold and touch
Your hand in mine
There's nothing I won't do, oooh
I wasn't looking for you
Lonely nights are dead and gone
'Cause of you
I will never be alone
Fiddle Solo
It was the easiest thing I ever had to do
Lay down my heart, lay down yours too
Spend all my life not knowing who, oooh
I wasn't looking for you
I wasn't looking for you

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Rock And Roll Band

1968, Van Morrison guitar & vocals
[false start]
We just sat there
[Rock & Roll Band]
We just sat there
never ever thinkin'
we'd get much older.
Layin' out on the beach
with our heads on each other's shoulder,
and we flagged the highway drivers down,
and get a ride to nowhere.
That means sit somewhere out of town,
we never ever had a care.
Wasn't that a time,
yeah, so wasn't that a soul time.
Wasn't that a time,
wasn't that a soul time.
And we stayed out all night long,
and never ever wanted to go home then.
Crossed the fields and streams,
in meadows we did roam then.
And we did not wanna question,
and never asked for why,
and we look back in sad remembrance
and we softly sigh.
And wasn't that a time,
yes, wasn't that a soul time.
Wasn't that a time,
yeah, wasn't that a soul time.
And we danced, we danced, we danced
to a Rock & Roll band.
And we danced, we danced, we danced, we danced
to a Rock & Roll band
with the three guitars
and the drums
and the saxophone.
And we just sat there on the beach
never ever thinkin' we'd get much older.
So far out of reach
with our heads on each other's shoulder.
Flagged the highway drivers down,
and we get a lift to nowhere,
somewhere out of town.
We never ever had a care.
Wasn't that a time,
yeah, wasn't that a soul time.
Wasn't that a time,
wasn't that a soul time,
when we danced, we danced, we danced
to a Rock and Roll band,
and we danced, we danced, we danced
to a Rock and Roll band
with the three guitars
and the drums
and the saxophone.
[at fade out, LOUD, click of tape recorder/player button pressed to stop]
(Transcribed by ear, so corrections are welcome)

song performed by by Van MorrisonReport problemRelated quotes
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I Wasn't The One (Who Say Goodbye)

Your eyes and my eyes haven't talked in quite a while
Seems like a lifetime since I walked beside your smile
There's a dark cloud that's hanging above
Memories never lie
Still we talk about the way that it was
And I think we both know the feelings haven't died
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And I won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da Da
Your touch and my touch haven't spoken for some time
You say we've both changed and your always on my mind
I can tell you that it's over and done but I would only lose
Being close to the one that I want
So go on and ask me if I'm still in love with you
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
And I won't be the one to say that we can't try
Da Da
There was no need for you to ask - please don't ask
You oughta know by now, ooo babe, I want you back
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night
I wasn't the one who said goodbye, oh no
I wasn't the one who disappeared in the night

song performed by by Peter CeteraReport problemRelated quotes
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Why?

Behold, the grave of a wicked man,
And near it, a stern spirit.

There came a drooping maid with violets,
But the spirit grasped her arm.
'No flowers for him,' he said.
The maid wept:
'Ah, I loved him.'
But the spirit, grim and frowning:
'No flowers for him.'

Now, this is it -
If the spirit was just,
Why did the maid weep?

poem by Stephen CraneReport problemRelated quotes
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We are Seven

--------A Simple Child,
That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb,
What should it know of death?

I met a little cottage Girl:
She was eight years old, she said;
Her hair was thick with many a curl
That clustered round her head.

She had a rustic, woodland air,
And she was wildly clad:
Her eyes were fair, and very fair;
--Her beauty made me glad.

"Sisters and brothers, little Maid,
How many may you be?"
"How many? Seven in all," she said
And wondering looked at me.

"And where are they? I pray you tell."
She answered, "Seven are we;
And two of us at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea.

"Two of us in the church-yard lie,
My sister and my brother;
And, in the church-yard cottage, I
Dwell near them with my mother."

"You say that two at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea,
Yet ye are seven!--I pray you tell,
Sweet Maid, how this may be."

Then did the little Maid reply,
"Seven boys and girls are we;
Two of us in the church-yard lie,
Beneath the church-yard tree."

"You run about, my little Maid,
Your limbs they are alive;
If two are in the church-yard laid,
Then ye are only five."

"Their graves are green, they may be seen,"
The little Maid replied,
"Twelve steps or more from my mother's door,
And they are side by side.

"My stockings there I often knit,
My kerchief there I hem;
And there upon the ground I sit,
And sing a song to them.

"And often after sunset, Sir,
When it is light and fair,
I take my little porringer,
And eat my supper there.

"The first that died was sister Jane;
In bed she moaning lay,
Till God released her of her pain;
And then she went away.

"So in the church-yard she was laid;
And, when the grass was dry,
Together round her grave we played,
My brother John and I.

"And when the ground was white with snow,
And I could run and slide,
My brother John was forced to go,
And he lies by her side."

"How many are you, then," said I,
"If they two are in heaven?"
Quick was the little Maid's reply,
"O Master! we are seven."

"But they are dead; those two are dead!
Their spirits are in heaven!"
'Twas throwing words away; for still
The little Maid would have her will,
And said, "Nay, we are seven!"

poem by William WordsworthReport problemRelated quotes
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It Was How I Remember And That’s Not How It Was

It may have been Classic, yet not elegant
It may have been Love, yet not romantic
It may have been hidden, yet not unforeseen
Yet none came to you

It was my brother’s irreplaceable companion and his little sister
It was my brother’s incredulity and his greatest suspicion
It was my brother’s settlement and his authorization
Yet none came to you

It wasn’t my dream and it wasn’t my fantasy
It wasn’t my concern and it wasn’t my guarantee
It wasn’t my content and it wasn’t my sorrow

It may have been my mother’s hope, yet not her premonition
And now its my animosity

poem by Oni HayesReport problemRelated quotes
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Pure

Don't you bring me down
Kick me when I'm down
Put me away again
Every now and then
Your bottle spinning my fate
As I hold my breath
And so you don't want any part of this now
Where did it go so wrong
I guess I'm finally finding out
It's got me tripping now
The little things, everywhere I go
It's such a shame
Why you held on, so long
Why don't you confuse me a little more?
Confuse me
And I never thought that you
Who would believe that I wasn't good enough?
Those things I never thought you'd do
You got the best of me
You got the best of me when you said you didn't love me anymore
And I know, this will be the last time
You've got me running in circles like a freak
So why don't you try to, kick me when I'm down
I'm down, all the way down
Put me away again
Every now and then
Your bottle spinning my fate
While I hold my breath
Don't sweat the lies that you say I control
Confuse me a little more
[Confuse me]
And I never thought that you
Who would believe that I wasn't good enough?
Those things I never thought you'd do
You got the best of me
You and all your secrets don't need me
You got the best of me when you said you didn't love me anymore
And I know this will be the last time
You've got me, running in circles like a freak
So why don't you try to, kick me when I'm down
I'm down
So when you say you've let me go, let me go
'Cause you didn't care about this, sorry you
I guess you'll be alright
Now that you've got things to go your way
How could you be like this?
This is the last time but you don't hear me though
You got the best of me, when you said you didn't love me anymore
And I know, this will be the last time
You've got me running in circles like a freak
So why don't you try to, kick me when I'm down
I don't understand the way
That you're thinking, thinking, thinking, Andrea
Who could believe that I wasn't good enough?
Who could believe that I wasn't good enough?
Confuse me a little more
Who could believe that I wasn't good enough?
Who could believe that I wasn't good enough?

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Love And Beauty

(Mike Pinder)
I look around at other people
I brush their shoulders at the corner of the street
But all they notice is their feet
It wasn't meant this way
Their minds have gone astray
If they could lift their eyes they'd see
There's people smiling just like me and I'll agree
It's not their fault because it's raining
It's all work and no play, it's just another day
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
Should be everybody's duty
To welcome every man as a friend
I wish that I could change the world
For every boy there'd be a girl for him to know
And maybe people would look up
Then they might realize they're not the only ones alive
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
Should be everybody's duty
To welcome every man as a friend
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
(Love) Love and beauty (Love)
*************************************************************

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