# Peace explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter satirizes the notion of peace and harmony by revealing that apparent coexistence between predator and prey is merely a disguise, with the lion being an ass in disguise and the lamb being a wolf in sheep's clothing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The poem exposes the false peace where both parties are disguised, highlighting the theme of deception.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The apparent miracle of peace is undercut by the hypocrisy of the participants, each pretending to be something they are not.

## Key lines

> When lion and lamb have together lain down Spectators cry out, all in chorus: 'The lamb doesn’t shrink nor the lion frown⁠— A miracle’s working before us!'

When a lion and a lamb lie down together, onlookers marvel at the apparent miracle of their peaceful coexistence.

_Sets up the ironic twist that follows._

> For the one’s but an ass in a lion’s skin, The other a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The lion is actually a donkey disguised as a lion, and the lamb is actually a wolf disguised as a sheep.

_Reveals the deception behind the facade of peace._

## Links

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