Genesis [God said, 'Let there be Crime,' and the command]

Ambrose Bierce 1842 (Meigs County) – 1914 (Chihuahua)



God said, 'Let there be Crime,' and the command
Brought Satan, leading Stoneman by the hand.
'Why, that's Stupidity, not Crime,' said God
'Bring what I ordered.' Satan with a nod
Replied, 'This is _one_ element-when I
The _other_-Opportunity-supply
In just equivalent, the two'll affine
And in a chemical embrace combine
And Crime result-for Crime can only be
Stupiditate of Opportunity.'
So leaving Stoneman (not as yet endowed
With soul) in special session on a cloud,
Nick to his sooty laboratory went,
Returning soon with t'other element.
'Here's Opportunity,' he said, and put
Pen, ink, and paper down at Stoneman's foot.
He seized them-Heaven was filled with fires and thunders,
And Crime was added to Creation's wonders!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

37 sec read
84

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABBCCDDEEFFGHIIJJ
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 718
Words 124
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 18

Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist. more…

All Ambrose Bierce poems | Ambrose Bierce Books

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