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1842–1914

TWIN UNWORTHIES

Ambrose Bierce

Ye parasites that to the rich men stick, As to the fattest sheep the thrifty tick — Ed'ard to Stanford and to Crocker Ben ( To Ben and Ed'ard many meaner men,

And lice to these ) — who do the kind of work That thieves would have the honesty to shirk — Whose wages are that your employers own The fat that reeks upon your every bone

And deigns to ask ( the flattery how sweet! ) About its health and how it stands the heat,— Hail and farewell! I meant to write about you, But, no, my page is cleaner far without you.

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