Page:Bierce - Collected Works - Volume 04.djvu/153

Would pave with gold an avenue)
To float a battleship or two,
If so the cost we choose to measure.
'Twas worth it all, we say and say—
The President has often said it;
And so it was—to us; and they
Say nothing, as a rule, who shed it.

"Times change and we change with them,"
men
Of old renown averred in Latin;
And that's as true on tongue or pen
This blessed century as when
The seat of empire Cæsar sat in.
For see how many play their parts
As ardent lovers of secession.
Promoting it with all their hearts—
In countries out of our possession.

O men of variable views,
How can you be so light and fickle?
Is it because you think the news
From Panama portends no bruise
To you, nor payment of a nickel?
Nay, is it that you scent a gain
In troubles of a neighbor nation,
And so appraise her loss and pain
As nothing worth a valuation?