{
 "id": "ambrose-bierce/an-alibi",
 "title": "An Alibi",
 "ordinal": null,
 "subtitle": null,
 "poet": "Ambrose Bierce",
 "poet_slug": "ambrose-bierce",
 "language": "en",
 "book": "Shapes of Clay",
 "book_slug": "shapes-of-clay",
 "book_kind": "volume",
 "sequence": 39,
 "container": "Shapes of Clay",
 "epigraph": null,
 "first_published": {
  "year": 1903,
  "venue": "Shapes of Clay (1903)",
  "note": "First located printing is this volume; an earlier periodical printing has not been established.",
  "uncertain": false,
  "sources": [
   "https://archive.org/details/shapesofclay00bier"
  ]
 },
 "source": {
  "kind": "standard-ebooks",
  "repo": "standardebooks/ambrose-bierce_poetry",
  "file": "shapes-of-clay.xhtml",
  "upstream": [
   "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4793",
   "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12658",
   "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12977",
   "https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/15599",
   "https://archive.org/details/collectedworksof04bierrich",
   "https://archive.org/details/collectedworksof05bierrich",
   "https://archive.org/details/collectedworksof08bierrich",
   "https://archive.org/details/shapesofclay00bier",
   "https://archive.org/details/blackbeetlesinam00bier",
   "https://archive.org/details/literarycalifor05mighgoog",
   "https://archive.org/details/cali07webb"
  ],
  "rights": "public domain (SE dedication; underlying text pre-1931)"
 },
 "verification": {
  "level": "structural-only",
  "last_checked": "2026-08-20"
 },
 "stats": {
  "n_lines": 190,
  "n_stanzas": 6,
  "n_parts": 0,
  "longest_line_chars": 43,
  "max_indent": 6
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 "stanzas": [
  [
   {
    "text": "A famous journalist, who long",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had told the great unheaded throng",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whate’er they thought, by day or night,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was true as Holy Writ, and right,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was caught in⁠—well, on second thought,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It is enough that he was caught,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And, thrown into a jail, became",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The fuel of a public flame.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Vox populi vox Dei,” said",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The jailer. Inxling bent his head",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Without remark: that motto good",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In bold-faced type had always stood",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Above the columns where his pen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had rioted in praise of men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all they said⁠—provided he",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was sure they mostly did agree.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meanwhile a sharp and bitter strife",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To take, or save, the culprit’s life",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Or liberty (which, I suppose,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was much the same to him) arose",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Outside. The journal that his pen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Adorned denounced his crime⁠—but then",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Its editor in secret tried",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To have the indictment set aside.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The opposition papers swore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "His father was a rogue before,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all his wife’s relations were",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Like him and similar to her.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "They begged their readers to subscribe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A dollar each to make a bribe",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That any Judge would feel was large",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Enough to prove the gravest charge⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unless, it might be, the Defense",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Put up superior evidence.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The law’s traditional delay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was all too short: the trial day",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Dawned red and menacing. The Judge",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Sat on the Bench and wouldn’t budge,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And all the motions counsel made",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Could not move him⁠—and there he stayed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“The case must now proceed,” he said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“While I am just, in heart and head.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "It happens⁠—as, indeed, it ought⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Both sides with equal sums have bought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My favor: I can try the cause",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Impartially.” (Prolonged applause.)",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "The prisoner was now arraigned",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And said that he was greatly pained",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To be suspected⁠—he, whose pen",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had charged so many other men",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "With crimes and misdemeanors! “Why,”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He said, a tear in either eye,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“If men who live by crying out",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "‘Stop thief!’ are not themselves from doubt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of their integrity exempt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Let all forego the vain attempt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make a reputation! Sir,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I’m innocent, and I demur.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whereat a thousand voices cried",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That he indubitably lied⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Vox populi as loudly roared",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As bull by picadores gored,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In his own coin receiving pay",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To make a Spanish holiday.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The jury⁠—twelve good men and true⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Were then sworn in to see it through,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And each made solemn oath that he",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As any babe unborn was free",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From prejudice, opinion, thought,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Respectability, brains⁠—aught",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That could disqualify; and some",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Explained that they were deaf and dumb.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A better twelve, his Honor said,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Was rare, except among the dead.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The witnesses were called and sworn.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The tales they told made angels mourn,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the Good Book they’d kissed became",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Red with the consciousness of shame.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Whenever one of them approached",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The truth, “That witness wasn’t coached,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Your Honor!” cried the lawyers both.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Strike out his testimony,” quoth",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The learned Judge: “this court denies",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Its ear to stories that surprise.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I hold that witnesses exempt",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "From coaching all are in contempt.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Both Prosecution and Defense",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Applauded the judicial sense,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And the spectators all averred",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Such wisdom they had never heard:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "’Twas plain the prisoner would be",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Found guilty in the first degree.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Meanwhile that wight’s pale cheek confessed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The nameless terrors in his breast.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He felt remorseful, too, because",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "He wasn’t half they said he was.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“If I’d been such a rogue,” he mused",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "On opportunities unused,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“I might have easily become",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "As wealthy as Methusalum.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "This journalist adorned, alas,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The middle, not the Bible, class.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "With equal skill the lawyers’ pleas",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Attested their divided fees.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Each gave the other one the lie,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Then helped him frame a sharp reply.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Good Lord! it was a bitter fight,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And lasted all the day and night.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When once or oftener the roar",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Had silenced the judicial snore",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The speaker suffered for the sport",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By fining for contempt of court.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Twelve jurors’ noses good and true",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Unceasing sang the trial through,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And even vox populi was spent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In rattles through a nasal vent.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Clerk, bailiff, constables and all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Heard Morpheus sound the trumpet call",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To arms⁠—his arms⁠—and all fell in",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Save counsel for the Man of Sin.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That thaumaturgist stood and swayed",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The wand their faculties obeyed⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That magic wand which, like a flame,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Leapt, wavered, quivered and became",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A wonder-worker⁠—known among",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The ignoble vulgar as a Tongue.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "How long, O Lord, how long my verse",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Runs on for better or for worse",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In meter which o’ermasters me,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Octosyllabically free!⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A meter which, the poets say,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "No power of restraint can stay;⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A hard-mouthed meter, suited well",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To him who, having naught to tell,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Must hold attention as a trout",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Is held, by paying out and out",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The slender line which else would break",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Should one attempt the fish to take.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Thus tavern guides who’ve naught to show",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "But some adjacent curio",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "By devious trails their patrons lead",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And make them think ’tis far indeed.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Where was I?",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "While the lawyer talked",
    "indent": 6
   },
   {
    "text": "The rogue took up his feet and walked:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "While all about him loudly slept,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Into the street he calmly stepped.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "In very truth, the man who thought",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The people’s voice from heaven had caught",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "God’s inspiration took a change",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of venue⁠—it was passing strange!",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Straight to his editor he went",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And that ingenious person sent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "A Negro to impersonate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The fugitive. In adequate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Disguise he took his vacant place",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And buried in his arms his face.",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "When all was done the lawyer stopped",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And silence like a bombshell dropped",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Upon the court: Judge, jury, all",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Within that venerable hall",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "(Except the deaf and dumb, indeed,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And one or two whom death had freed)",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Awoke and tried to look as though",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Slumber was all they did not know.",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ],
  [
   {
    "text": "And now that tireless lawyer-man",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Took breath, and then again began:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "“Your Honor, if you did attend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "To what I’ve urged (my learned friend",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Nodded concurrence) to support",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The motion I have made, this court",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "May soon adjourn. With your assent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I’ve shown abundant precedent",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "For introducing now, though late,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "New evidence to exculpate",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My client. So, if you’ll allow,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I’ll prove an alibi!” “What?⁠—how?”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Stammered the judge. “Well, yes, I can’t",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Deny your showing, and I grant",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The motion. Do I understand",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "You undertake to prove⁠—good land!⁠—",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "That when the crime⁠—you mean to show",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Your client wasn’t there?” “O, no,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "I cannot quite do that, I find:",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "My alibi’s another kind",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Of alibi⁠—I’ll make it clear,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Your Honor, that he isn’t here.”",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "The Darky here upreared his head,",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "Tranquillity affrighted fled",
    "indent": 0
   },
   {
    "text": "And consternation reigned instead!",
    "indent": 0
   }
  ]
 ]
}