Read "The Dying Statesman" by Ambrose Bierce online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
It is a politician man -- / He draweth near his end, / And friends weep round that partisan, / Of every man the friend.
Between the Known and the Unknown / He lieth on the strand; / The light upon the sea is thrown / That lay upon the land.
It shineth in his glazing eye, / It burneth on his face; / God send that when we come to die / We know that sign of grace!
Upon his lips his blessed sprite / Poiseth her joyous wing. / "How is it with thee, child of light? / Dost hear the angels sing?"
"The song I hear, the crown I see, / And know that God is love.
Farewell, dark world -- I go to be / A postmaster above!"
For him no monumental arch, / But, O, 'tis good and brave / To see the Grand Old Party march / To office o'er his grave!