Mendax Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDEEFF GGHHIIJJGGKKLLMMNNOP| High Lord of Liars Pickering to thee | A |
| Let meaner mortals bend the subject knee | A |
| Thine is mendacity's imperial crown | B |
| Alike by genius action and renown | B |
| No man since words could set a cheek aflame | C |
| E'er lied so greatly with so little shame | C |
| O bad old man must thy remaining years | D |
| Be passed in leading idiots by their ears | D |
| Thine own which Justice if she ruled the roast | E |
| Would fasten to the penitential post | E |
| Still wagging sympathetically hung | F |
| the same rocking bar that bears thy tongue | F |
| - | |
| Thou dog of darkness dost thou hope to stay | G |
| Time's dread advance till thou hast had thy day | G |
| Dost think the Strangler will release his hold | H |
| Because forsooth some fibs remain untold | H |
| No no beneath thy multiplying load | I |
| Of years thou canst not tarry on the road | I |
| To dabble in the blood thy leaden feet | J |
| Have pressed from bosoms that have ceased to beat | J |
| Of reputations margining thy way | G |
| Nor wander from the path new truth to slay | G |
| Tell to thyself whatever lies thou wilt | K |
| Catch as thou canst at pennies got by guilt | K |
| Straight down to death this blessed year thou'lt sink | L |
| Thy life washed out as with a wave of ink | L |
| But if this prophecy be not fulfilled | M |
| And thou who killest patience be not killed | M |
| If age assail in vain and vice attack | N |
| Only by folly to be beaten back | N |
| Yet Nature can this consolation give | O |
| The rogues who die not are condemned to live | P |
Ambrose Bierce
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about Mendax poem by Ambrose Bierce
Best Poems of Ambrose Bierce