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[This poem by "a leading poet of doubt in mid nineteenth-century England" (Alan Swallow) is evidently the inspiration – in places arguably more – for Ambrose Bierce's "Decalogue" verses.]
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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. Honor 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. |
| Go to BIERCE's Decalogue |
| POETS Main Page | INDEX of Poets | INDEX of Titles & First Lines | BIERCE Menu |