One President

By Ambrose Bierce

What are those, father?’ ‘Statesmen, my child
Lacrymose, unparliamentary, wild.’

‘What are they that way for, father?’ ‘Last fall,
‘Our candidate’s better,’ they said, ‘than all!”

‘What did they say he was, father?’ ‘A man
Built on a straight incorruptible plan-
Believing that none for an office would do
Unless he were honest and capable too.’

‘Poor gentlemen-_so_ disappointed!’ ‘Yes, lad,
That is the feeling that’s driving them mad;
They’re weeping and wailing and gnashing because
They find that he’s all that they said that he was.’

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