Ambrose Bierce

The New Decalogue

Have but one God: thy knees were sore
If bent in prayer to three or four.

Adore no images save those
The coinage of thy country shows.

Take not the Name in vain. Direct
Thy swearing unto some effect.

Thy hand from Sunday work be held--
Work not at all unless compelled.

Honor thy parents, and perchance
Their wills thy fortunes may advance.

Kill not--death liberates thy foe
From persecution's constant woe.

Kiss not thy neighbor's wife. Of course
There's no objection to divorce.

To steal were folly, for 'tis plain
In cheating there is greater pain.

Bear not false witness. Shake your head
And say that you have 'heard it said.'

Who stays to covet ne'er will catch
An opportunity to snatch.

poem by Ambrose BierceReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Related quotes

The Latest Decalogue after Arthur Hugh Clough

The Latest Decalogue

Worship one true God only, who would run to the expense of two?
Your ruin truly will ensue unless you heresy eschew.

Insisting with sincerity in this wise world, where nothing’s free,
no carven icons cruel should we create, except our currency.

We venture here, in vapid verse, the Third Commandment to rehearse, -
swear not at all, for, for your curse, your enemy seems none the worse.

He who the Fourth Commandment penned, my sins and errors must amend,
but, Sir, on Sunday Church attend – ‘twill serve to keep the world thy friend.

Honour thy parents: that is all from whom advancement may befall.
Be prompt to run at beck and call of all who have the wherewithal.

Commandment Six now follows Five, thou shalt not kill, but none need strive
officiously to keep alive, - and thus fulfill ambition’s drive.

Of all the seven sins that sit upon thy soul when Judgement’s writ,
the last, that’s lust, do not commit – for profit seldom comes of it.

Dame Fortune’s smile you would entreat by guile to guild your golden seat?
Then do not steal – an empty feat when its so lucrative to cheat.

Bear not false witness; let the lie have time on its own wings to fly.
Allow your friend himself to tie the noose which round his neck will lie.

Covet your neighbour’s? ‘Tis sedition. In 10th Commandment’s new rendition
anticipating competition, - sedate his horse with expedition!


25 December 1977 robi3_0147_clou1_0003 PXX_EJX
Parody Arthur Hugh Clough 1819_1861 The Latest Decalogue

SEE BELOW FOR THE ORIGINAL AND OTHER PARODIES

The Latest Decalogue


Thou shalt have one God only; who
Would be at the expense of two?
No graven images may be
Worshipped, except the currency:
Swear not at all; for, for thy curse
Thine enemy is none the worse:
At church on Sunday to attend
Will serve to keep the world thy friend:
Honour thy parents, that is, all
From whom advancement may befall;
Thou shalt not kill; but need'st not strive
Officiously to keep alive:
Do not adultery commit;
Advantage rarely comes of it:
Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,
When it's so lucrative to cheat:
Bear not false witness; let the lie
Have time on its own wings to fly:
Thou shalt not covet, but tradition
Approves all forms of competition.


Arthur Hugh CLOUGH 1819_1861

Decalogue

Thou shalt no God but me adore:
'Twere too expensive to have more.
No images nor idols make
For Roger Ingersoll to break.
Take not God's name in vain: select
A time when it will have effect.
Work not on Sabbath days at all,
But go to see the teams play ball.
Honor thy parents. That creates
For life insurance lower rates.
Kill not, abet not those who kill;
Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill.
Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless
Thine own thy neighbor doth caress.
Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete
Successfully in business. Cheat.
Bear not false witness-that is low-
But 'hear 'tis rumored so and so.'
Covet thou naught that thou hast got
By hook or crook, or somehow, got.

Ambrose BIERCE 1842_1914 bier1_0002_clou1_0003 PXX_EXX
Parody Arthur Hugh Clough 1819_1861 The Latest Decalogue

The New Decalogue

Have but one God: thy knees were sore
If bent in prayer to three or four.
Adore no images save those
The coinage of thy country shows.
Take not the Name in vain. Direct
Thy swearing unto some effect.
Thy hand from Sunday work be held-
Work not at all unless compelled.
Honor thy parents, and perchance
Their wills thy fortunes may advance.
Kill not-death liberates thy foe
From persecution's constant woe.
Kiss not thy neighbor's wife. Of course
There's no objection to divorce.
To steal were folly, for 'tis plain
In cheating there is greater pain.
Bear not false witness.
Shake your head
And say that you have 'heard it said.'
Who stays to covet ne'er will catch
An opportunity to snatch.

Ambrose BIERCE 1842_1914 bier1_0003_clou1_0003 PXX_EXX
Parody Arthur Hugh Clough 1819_1861 The Latest Decalogue


Latest Decalogue

'The sum of all is, thou shalt love,
If any body, God above:
At any rate shall never labour
More than thyself to love thy neighbour.'

ESTABROOK C G esta1_0001_clou1_0003 PWX_JLX
Parody Arthur Hugh Clough 1819_1861 The Latest Decalogue


Addendum to the Ten Commandments


Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife,
Nor the ox her husband bought her;
But thank the Lord you're not forbidden
To covet your neighbour's daughter.


Parody UN known Author 0021 PUNau PUNau_0021_clou1_0003 PXX_LXX
Parody Arthur Hugh Clough 1819_1861 The Latest Decalogue



Decalogue

Thou shalt not lie but don't believe
Thou art required to undeceive.


Earl WAJENBERG
Parody Arthur Hugh Clough 1819_1861 The Latest Decalogue

poem by Jonathan RobinReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share
Ambrose Bierce

Decalogue

Thou shalt no God but me adore:
'Twere too expensive to have more.

No images nor idols make
For Roger Ingersoll to break.

Take not God's name in vain: select
A time when it will have effect.

Work not on Sabbath days at all,
But go to see the teams play ball.

Honor thy parents. That creates
For life insurance lower rates.

Kill not, abet not those who kill;
Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill.

Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless
Thine own thy neighbor doth caress.

Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete
Successfully in business. Cheat.

Bear not false witness--that is low--
But 'hear 'tis rumored so and so.'

Covet thou naught that thou hast got
By hook or crook, or somehow, got.

poem by Ambrose BierceReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

The Ten Commandments

I believed the Ten Commandments,
Were sins we were not to commit.
And I understand them as 'commands'!
And not to be applied as 'we' see fit!

Some live their lives,
As if these are not legitimate.
And comprehending the opposite,
To inflict upon a consciousness...
An increasingly reflected mental misfitness.
With a clear misunderstanding...
That our Creator is not pleased one bit!

These commandments we should take heed.
And immediately revisit!

I am the Lord your God
You shall have no other gods before me
You shall not make for yourself an idol
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
Honor your father and mother
You shall not murder
You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife
You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor

'Look, Yo...
Ain't these 'commandments'?
Ain't these things we suppose to do? '

Noooo! ...yeeeesss, but no!
You are 'not' suppose to do these things.
You are suppose to 'do' these things!

'Oh!
Ooooh!
So, they are commands 'meant'
Not to do what is commanded? '

Let me put this another way!
See my fist?
Even though I am tempted,
To hit you in the head with it...
AND that might bring unto me,
A temporary satisfaction?
Something inside of me,
Is preventing me not to do it.

'Oh,
I see.
Would it be the gun you know I have in my car?
And you know I can command it in minutes? '

Let's just dropp the subject.

'Yeah!
I command we do! '

poem by Lawrence S. PertillarReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

The Latest Decalogue

Thou shalt have one God only; who
Would be at the expense of two?
No graven images may be
Worshipp'd, except the currency:
Swear not at all; for, for thy curse
Thine enemy is none the worse:
At church on Sunday to attend
Will serve to keep the world thy friend:
Honour thy parents; that is, all
From whom advancement may befall:
Thou shalt not kill; but need'st not strive
Officiously to keep alive:
Do not adultery commit;
Advantage rarely comes of it:
Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,
When it's so lucrative to cheat:
Bear not false witness; let the lie
Have time on its own wings to fly:
Thou shalt not covet; but tradition
Approves all forms of competition.

poem by Arthur Hugh CloughReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Hes A Go Getter

Hes a go getter, go getter
When his wife gets off from work, hell go get her
Now Ive got a neighbor that lives down the road a ways
His wife holds down a steady job, he dont turn his hand all day
I know that most of you will know the kind Im talkin about
The kind that rather than have to work, hed rather do without
But hes a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, hell go get her
Theres a group of men in the court house yard any time that you go by
Playin checkers and tradin odds and makin jokes about their wives
They wait all week for pay day and they hold the moneys plenty
And the wife thats worked those long hard hours never gets a penny
But hes a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, hell go get her
Yes hes a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, hell go get her
Hes a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, hell go get her

song performed by by Dolly PartonReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

A Poem For Mr And Mrs...

I have never met you officially!
And my wife didn't know what to say!
When I ask her, where are your parents?
So, I can give you a hard hands shake
And tell you, thank you for a beautiful daughter.
death came and denied you the chance.

I haven't met you
Death came! Just before I can,
Tell you that 'I am intending to marry your daughter'
Death came! Just before!
i can give you her lobola
And ask you to count it.
death came and denied you the opportunity

I wanted you to be there,
On our engagement day and our wedding day
To share with us, the feeling and excitement
Cuddle and chuckles of the day.
death came and denied you the moment

I wish we could have met
Sit around the table
Drink cup of coffee
And talk about soccer
Laugh about it, dispute about it
death came and denied you the opportunity

Now one day these children will want you!
They will ask me and my wife about you
One day they will want all those old stories and tales
As grandparents do to their grandchildren
death came and denied them the opportunity

poem by Jacques Sprenkie MateyaReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Let it Kill

let it kill me and if it doesnt let it try again and again and again till i die, then let it try again and again and finally let it kill me if not then let it try again till i die of pain cause this pain i cannot take, so let it kill until i feel death creep up the corner, let me die with honor or without it just let me die, so let it kill me again and again and if not let it try until i die, for this life i cannot take i have lost all faith so just let me die, let it try to kill me dont set me free come on kill me i refuse mercy or sympathy all i want is death so please let it kill let it send me to death as fast as things go past, let it kill, let it destroy my soul and leave it not whole for i want death, i want death again i say i want death let it kill and if not let it kill again and again till death is all that remain, let it kill

poem by Adens KamwiReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Sunday Papers

Mother doesnt go out any more
Just sits at home and rolls her spastic eyes
But every weekend through the door
Come words of wisdom from the world outside
If you want to know about the bishop and the actress
If you want to know how to be a star
If you want to know about the stains on the mattress
You can read it in the sunday papers, sunday papers
Mothers wheelchair stays out in the hall
Why should she go out when the tvs on
Whatever moves beyond these walls
Shell know the facts when sunday comes along
If you want to know about the man gone bonkers
If you want to know how to play guitar
If you want to know about the other suckers
You can read it in the sunday papers, read it in the sunday papers
Sunday papers dont ask no questions
Sunday papers dont get no lies
Sunday papers dont raise objection
Sunday papers dont got no eyes
Brothers heading that way now I guess
He just read something made his face turn blue
Well I got nothing against the press
They wouldnt print it if it wasnt true
If you want to know about the gay politician
If you want to know how to drive your car
If you want to know about the new sex position
You can read it in the sunday papers, read it in the sunday papers
Sunday papers dont ask no questions
Sunday papers dont get no lies
Sunday papers dont raise objection
Sunday papers dont got no eyes
Sunday papers dont ask no questions
Sunday papers dont get no lies
Sunday papers dont raise objection
Sunday papers dont got no eyes
Read all about it, sunday papers

song performed by by Joe JacksonReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Work, Sleep, Work, Sleep, Work

Work, sleep, work, sleep,
Work, sleep, work, sleep,
Work, sleep, work, sleep,
Work:

Work, sleep, work, sleep,
Work, sleep, work, sleep,
Work, sleep, work, sleep,
Work.

Oh free me please with gentle ease
From work, sleep, work, sleep, work!
This odium, pounding tedium
Of my work, sleep, work, sleep, work.

Just whisk me off to lands afar
From work, sleep, work, sleep, work -
That grinding train of rhythmic pain
Called ‘Work, sleep, work, sleep, work.’

Poor neural circuits fizzle and pop
In work, sleep, work, sleep, work,
In trying to make some sense of all this
Work, sleep, work, sleep, work.

But Hark! I see a golden gleam -
A saving spirit of hope:
‘You’re fired! ’ He screams. What news to bear,
This wondrous hangman’s rope!

So now I’m free, released from all this
Work, sleep, work, sleep, work -
Eternal peace and rest for me, no
Work, sleep, work, sleep, work.

poem by Mark R SlaughterReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Calm After Storm

The storm hath passed;
I hear the birds rejoice; the hen,
Returned into the road again,
Her cheerful notes repeats. The sky serene
Is, in the west, upon the mountain seen:
The country smiles; bright runs the silver stream.
Each heart is cheered; on every side revive
The sounds, the labors of the busy hive.
The workman gazes at the watery sky,
As standing at the door he sings,
His work in hand; the little wife goes forth,
And in her pail the gathered rain-drops brings;
The vendor of his wares, from lane to lane,
Begins his daily cry again.
The sun returns, and with his smile illumes
The villas on the neighboring hills;
Through open terraces and balconies,
The genial light pervades the cheerful rooms;
And, on the highway, from afar are heard
The tinkling of the bells, the creaking wheels
Of waggoner, his journey who resumes.

Cheered is each heart.
Whene'er, as now, doth life appear
A thing so pleasant and so dear?
When, with such love,
Does man unto his books or work return?
Or on himself new tasks impose?
When is he less regardful of his woes?
O pleasure, born of pain!
O idle joy, and vain,
Fruit of the fear just passed, which shook
The wretch who life abhorred, yet dreaded death!
With which each neighbor held his breath,
Silent, and cold, and wan,
Affrighted sore to see
The lightnings, clouds, and winds arrayed,
To do us injury!

O Nature courteous!
These are thy boons to us,
These the delights to mortals given!
Escape from pain, best gift of heaven!
Thou scatterest sorrows with a bounteous hand;
Grief springs spontaneous;
If, by some monstrous growth, miraculous,
Pleasure at times is born of pain,
It is a precious gain!
O human race, unto the gods so dear!
Too happy, in a respite brief
From any grief!
Then only blessed,
When Death releases thee unto thy rest!

poem by Count Giacomo LeopardiReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Do Not Steal

Do not steal another’s name;
Do not steal your neighbor’s fame;
Do not steal next person’s house;
Do not steal someone’s spouse.

Do not steal one’s money;
Do not steal someone’s honey;
Do not steal other’s labor;
Do not steal things from neighbor.

Do not steal another’s job;
Do not steal from poorer mob;
Do not steal next man’s limelight;
Do not steal another’s might.

Do not steal another’s health;
Do not steal your neighbor’s wealth.
Do not steal next person’s praise;
Do not steal from human race.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 3-20-2008

poem by John CelesReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbor as yourself.

quote by Jesus ChristReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

The word “Divorce” never exists

Divorce … Divorce…
Think that there is such thing never exist

-o-

Look at the girl twice before you choose
Think twice before you put the marriage ring
Once Marriage is done, it is forever.

Marriage is between two hearts,
If you marry for anything else,
There is no guarantee that it will stand

Marry for money, money can be lost
Marry for beauty, beauty can be lost
Marry for health, health can be lost
Marry for love, love can’t be lost
Look at the eyes and feel the heart
Love is there for you always

-o-

Marriage doesn’t mean, it stands for ever
Marriage is planting the love seed
Plant the love seed, deep enough in heart
Manure with smiles and pore more love

Marriage doesn’t mean, it stands for ever
Trust each other more than self
Stand for each more than self
Keep the self out and live for spouse

Marriage is place to work together
Work heard to keep it fruitful
Pray heard to keep it safe
Love heard to make it more romantic

Spouse and Kids are God’s gifts
God entrusted us to take care of them,
The way he is taking care of us.

-o-
Divorce is the evil
It killed the souls and hearts
Divorce … Divorce …
Don’t think of it.
There is nobody who gained out of it

Divorce … Divorce…
Think that there is such thing never exist

-o-

Still if you think, Divorce is the way
Talk with couples, who broken their hearts
Talk with the kids, who struggled in it
Talk with the parents, who cried for kids
This shows that still love exists
Anger can vanish, but love never dry

Out of Divorce, what are you going to gain?
You lost your celibacy
You lost your heart
You lost your self
You lost your health
You lost your peace
What you have to bring out of it?
Marriage is the place to bury your self
Don’t come out as stinking Skelton

Divorce is like digging the grave
The more you fight, the more you lose
The more you dig, the more it stinks
The more you think you lost your self

Marriage is the place to cover all this
Marriage is the place to hide your love
Marriage is the grave you agreed to sleep
Don’t judge you’re self, don’t judge your spouse
God will judge all of us when time comes

-o-

Marriage is place for honor
Marriage is place for respect
Marriage is place for trust
Marriage is place for love
Marriage is place for nourishment
Marriage is place for forgiveness
Marriage is place for prayers
Marriage is place to learn all this
Marry once and live forever
Marriage may not be a heaven
But Divorce is defiantly a hell
Live the way that
The word “Divorce” never exists

-o-

poem by Bhavani PolimetlaReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Got To Work Too And Earn My Living

the hours passed
so swiftly
now it is 9: 04 on my watch
i have written
poems
candidly
direct from the mind
to this blank eyes
always staring at me
this dumb monitor

i like to write more
but what can i do?
got to work to and
earn my living
and got to hammer
some more
this mortar and pestle
of this justice
system that
does not really
work....

the Chief Justice
can kill me
but oh well,
this is nothing
but work
and work
and work
and work

nothing to do with justice
but work
nothing personal
(so it is but impersonal)

no eyes
just this blindness

hammer, hammer now
hammer out, hammer in

this gavel
this, oh, well, this bread
of life

this death for some
this escape for you

poem by Ric S. BastasaReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees

(cook / wood)
Your love still brings me to my knees
From day to day you feel my needs
This flame that burns
Within my heart will never die
Oh, i bless the day you came along
You turned my life into a song
There is no greater love
And there will never be
'cause you're the only one
(your love still brings me to my knees)
Still bring me to my knees
You're the one, you're the one i long to please, oh darling, ah, ha
(your love still brings me to my knees)
(your love is killing me)
Oh, i find each day i love you more
Always the one i'm waiting for
No matter where i go
No matter what i do
'cause you're the only one
(your love still brings me to my knees)
Still brings me to my knees
Ah, you're the one i long to please, oh darling, ooh, aah, ooh
(your love still brings me to my knees)
(your love is killing me)
Now i never knew
What love was all about, yeah
Then you came along
Gave me a reason to stand up and shout, oh i love you
Oh darling
Your love still brings me to my knees
From day to day you feel my needs
There is no greater love
And there will never be
'cause you're the only one
(your love still brings me to my knees)
Still brings me to my knees
(your love is killing me)
(you're the one, you're the one i long to please
Still brings me to my knees
(your love still brings me to my knees)
Yes it does, sweet baby, ooh, ah
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, yeah
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh

song performed by by Dusty SpringfieldReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Work To Make It Work

(r palmer)
Push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to improve it
Push it along
It's all there for you to feel it
Help your self to one that you can't deal with
Ain't no way that you could steal it
You misunderstand if you get greedy
Ah push
Work work work to make it work push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to improve
Don't confine your dreams to bed
You'll get scared if you get lazy
If you can't take enough to satisfy yourself
Then you'll go crazy
Wont do no good thinking
You got to do it
So it don't come easy the first time
Practice makes perfect, you know that i'll try hard
Use it or lose it
You got to put your heart and soul into it
Yeaheheh
Push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to move it
Push it along
Work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to improve
It's all there for you to feel it
Help your self to one that you can't deal with
Ain't no way that you could steal it
You misunderstand if you get greedy forget wishful thinking
You can do it
You just need a push to make a start
If you don't succeed the first time
Try and try again
Use it or lose it
You got to put your back into it
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to move it
Push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to improve
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to move it
Push it along
Work work work to make it work
Push it along
Work work work if you want to improve

song performed by by Robert PalmerReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

Foolish Behaviour

(rod stewart / savigar, cregan, grainger)
Can I introduce myself
Im a man of panache and wealth
Sound in mind, body, soul and health
Why I wanna kill my wife
I have the urge to take her life
Been planing for years to get rid of her
Not divorce I really do mean to kill her
Shes so full of useless information and trivia
Thats why I wanna kill my wife
I have a duty to take her life
Her stupid friends get right up my nose
They all wear annoyingly sensible clothes
Theyre all so bleeding grandiose,
You know why I should kill her friends
Theyre all driving mercedes benz.
Hell escape down into mexico
Sell the house and find a nice young girl
Hell laugh and sing and he wont work anymore.
Should I string her up or strangle her in bed
Suffocate that little venomous head
Or perhaps Ill just whip her to death
Listen do me a favor kill my wife
Do it for mankind take her life
Or should I act quite cold and deliberate
Or maybe blow out her brains with a bullet
Theyll think suicide they wont know who done it
Im gonna kill my wife Im really gonna take her life.
Hell escape down into mexico
Sell the house and find a nice young girl
Hell laugh and sing and he wont work anymore
The moment of truth has come
Im at the point of no return
Ive got my hands locked round her throat
Im about to kill my wife
Dont stop me now Im gonna take her life
Too late now Im gonna kill my wife
Cant help myself Im gonna take her life
Telephone rang and he woke from his sleep
His wife snoring soundly next to him
It was all a very nasty dream

song performed by by Rod StewartReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

And these things are pretty much foundational: thou shall not kill, steal, bear false witness. All these things are embedded into the laws we enjoy in our nation.

quote by Pat RobertsonReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share

I only travel to good material, a good director and a good company. I won't work in another country for a year any longer, because I have a lovely wife and I adore her and I can't bear to be away from her.

quote by Jim DaleReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Share
Rudyard Kipling

The Fabulists

1914-18


When all the world would keep a matter hid,
Since Truth is seldom Friend to any crowd,
Men write in Fable, as old AEsop did,
Jesting at that which none will name aloud.
And this they needs must do, or it will fall
Unless they please they are not heard at all.

When desperate Folly daily laboureth
To work confusion upon all we have,
When diligent Sloth demandeth Freedom's death,
And banded Fear commandeth Honour's grave--
Even in that certain hour before the fall,
Unless men please they are not heard at all.

Needs must all please, yet some not all for need,
Needs must all toil, yet some not all for gain,
But that men taking pleasure may take heed
Whom present toil shall snatch from later pain.
Thus some have toiled, but their reward was small
Since, though they pleased, they were not heard at all.

This was the lock that lay upon our lips,
This was the yoke that we have undergone,
Denying us all pleasant fellowships
As in our time and generation.
Our pleasures unpursued age past recall,
And for our pains--we are not heard at all.

What man hears aught except the groaning guns?
What man heeds aught save what each instant brings?
When each man's life all imaged life outruns,
What man shall pleasure in imaginings?
So it hath fallen, as it was bound to fall,
We are not, nor we were not, heard at all.

poem by Rudyard KiplingReport problemRelated quotes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Share