Explore "The Birth of Virtue" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
When, long ago, the young world circling flew / Through wider reaches of a richer blue, / New-eyed, the men and maids saw, manifest, / The thoughts untold in one another's breast: / Each wish displayed, and every passion learned -- / A look revealed them as a look discerned.
But sating Time with clouds o'ercast their eyes; / Desire was hidden, and the lips framed lies.
A goddess then, emerging from the dust, / Fair Virtue rose, the daughter of Distrust.