Explore "In His Hand" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
De Young (in Chicago the story is told) / "Took his life in his hand," like a warrior bold, / And stood before Buckley -- who thought him behind, / For Buckley, the man-eating monster is blind. / "Count fairly the ballots!" so rang the demand / Of the gallant De Young, with his life in his hand. / 'Tis done, and the struggle is ended. No more / He havocs the battle-field, gilt with the gore / Of slain reputations. No more he defies / His "lying opponents" with deadlier lies.
His trumpet is hushed and his belt is unbound -- / His enemies' characters cumber the ground.
They bloat on the war-plain with ink all asoak, / The fortunate candidates perching to croak.
No more he will charge, with a daring divine, / His foes with corruption, his friends by the line.
The thunders are stilled of the horrid campaign, / De Young is triumphant, and never again / Will he need, with his life in his hand, to roar: / "Count fair or, by G, I will die on your floor!" / His life has been spared, for his sins to atone, / And the hand that he took it in washed with cologne.