Explore "The Naval Constructor" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
He looked upon the ships as they / All idly lay at anchor, / Their sides with gorgeous workmen gay -- / The riveter and planker --
Republicans and Democrats, / Statesmen and politicians.
He saw the swarm of prudent rats / Swimming for land positions.
He marked each "belted cruiser" fine, / Her poddy life-belts floating / In tether where the hungry brine / Impinged upon her coating.
He noted with a proud regard, / As any of his class would, / The poplar mast and poplar yard / Above the hull of bass-wood.
He saw the Eastlake frigate tall, / With quaintly carven gable, / Hip-roof and dormer-window -- all / With ivy formidable.
In short, he saw our country's hope / In best of all conditions -- / Equipped, to the last spar and rope, / By working politicians.
He boarded then the noblest ship / And from the harbor glided. / "Adieu, adieu!" fell from his lip.
Verdict: "He suicided."
1881.