# II: A King of Craft explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

This chapter is a satirical epitaph for Sam Chamberlain, portraying him as a duplicitous and manipulative figure—a 'titmouse Machiavelli' whose fatal smile and polite perfidy allowed him to run 'half-a-hundred little Hells.' The poem reflects on his death, his hidden, mole-like soul, and the lingering uncertainty about whether he is truly gone, concluding with a sardonic relief that he no longer smiles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Chamberlain is depicted as a 'dove in manner and a snake in heart,' embodying the theme of hidden vice behind a pleasant facade.

### Deception and Self-Deception

The poem explores Chamberlain's lifelong deception, his 'smile that stayed them for the stab that slew,' and the ambiguity of his true nature even in death.

### Mortality and Regret

The epitaph form directly addresses death, the uncertainty of Chamberlain's end, and the relief that his harmful influence has ceased.

## Character check-ins

### Sam Chamberlain

The subject of the epitaph; a cunning, smiling deceiver whose 'fatal smile' and 'polite, perfidious art' are central to the chapter.

### Christ

Mentioned as rising and reigning after Chamberlain's inert, glutted state, contrasting spiritual redemption with worldly corruption.

## Key lines

> Against his God his warfare now is o’er: / His bloodless heart (no colder than before) / No longer with a mute ambition swells / To run a half-a-hundred little Hells.

His rebellion against God has ended; his cold heart no longer strives to create many small hells on earth.

_Summarizes Chamberlain's ceaseless, malicious ambition and its end in death._

> With ever a polite, perfidious art⁠— / A dove in manner and a snake in heart, / This titmouse Machiavelli ne’er again / Will feel the urge, the passion and the strain / To prove it true that one may smile and smile / And be a Chamberlain the blessed while.

With constant, courteous treachery—gentle in behavior but venomous inside—this petty Machiavelli will no longer strive to show that a smiling face can hide a villain like Chamberlain.

_Highlights the central theme of deceptive charm and the end of Chamberlain's manipulative career._

> We hope he’s dead, but only this we know: / He does not smile. O glory be to God!

We are uncertain if he is truly dead, but we are sure he has stopped smiling—thank God.

_Concludes the epitaph with ironic relief, emphasizing the ambiguity of his death and the sinister power of his smile._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/ii-a-king-of-craft
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters