# CCI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

Men praise Justice loudly, but an angel warns that waking her would lead to their execution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Revenge

Justice is portrayed as a dangerous force that, if awakened, brings death rather than deliverance.

## Key lines

> Men were singing the praises of Justice. “Not so loud,” said an angel; “if you wake her she will put you all to death.”

People celebrated Justice, but an angel cautioned them to be quiet, because waking Justice would result in their own deaths.

_The angel warns that Justice is not a benign force but a lethal one._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/cci
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters