| Augustin S. Macdonald, comp. A Collection of Verse by California Poets. 1914. | | | | Politics | | By Ambrose Bierce |
| | | THAT land full surely hastens to its end | |
| Where public sycophants in homage bend | |
| The populace to flatter, and repeat | |
| The doubled echoes of its loud conceit. | |
| Lowly their attitude but high their aim, | 5 |
| They creep to eminence through paths of shame, | |
| Till fixed securely in the seats of powr, | |
| The dupes they flattered they at last devour. | | | | |
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