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THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY Ambrose Bierce - Sunny Hills High School

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If‐‐" here the Augur, smiling, made<br />

A checking gesture and displayed<br />

His open palm, which plainly itched,<br />

For visibly its surface twitched.<br />

A _denarius_ (the Latin nickel)<br />

Successfully allayed the tickle,<br />

And then the slave proceeded: "Please<br />

Inform me whether Fate decrees<br />

Success or failure in what I<br />

To‐night (if it be dark) shall try.<br />

Its nature? Never mind‐‐I think<br />

'Tis writ on this"‐‐and with a wink<br />

Which darkened half the earth, he drew<br />

Another denarius to view,<br />

Its shining face attentive scanned,<br />

Then slipped it into the good man's hand,<br />

Who with great gravity said: "Wait<br />

While I retire to question Fate."<br />

That holy person then withdrew<br />

His scared clay and, passing through<br />

The temple's rearward gate, cried "Shoo!"<br />

Waving his robe of office. Straight<br />

Each sacred peacock and its mate<br />

(Maintained for Juno's favor) fled<br />

<strong>Ambrose</strong> <strong>Bierce</strong> The Devil’s Dictionary<br />

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