Explore "Surprised" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"O son of mine age, these eyes lose their fire: / Be eyes, I pray, to thy dying sire."
"O father, fear not, for mine eyes are bright -- / I read through a millstone at dead of night."
"My son, O tell me, who are those men, / Rushing like pigs to the feeding-pen?"
"Welcomers they of a statesman grand.
They'll shake, and then they will pocket; his hand."
"Sagacious youth, with the wondrous eye, / They seem to throw up their headgear. Why?"
"Because they've thrown up their hands until, O, / They're so tired! -- and dinners they've none to throw."
"My son, my son, though dull are mine ears, / I hear a great sound like the people's cheers."
"He's thanking them, father, with tears in his eyes, / For giving him lately that fine surprise."
"My memory fails as I near mine end; / How "did" they astonish their grateful friend?"
"By letting him buy, like apples or oats, / With that which has made him so good, the votes / Which make him so wise and grand and great.
Now, father, please die, for 'tis growing late."