# To W. H. L. B. explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief poetic address to W. H. L. B., criticizing his oratory and suggesting that his silence is more effective than his speech, which only amplifies a lesser noise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The poem implies the orator's speech is a form of deception or empty noise, masking true meaning.

## Character check-ins

### Barnes

Addressed as the dull orator whose speech is criticized.

## Key lines

> Refrain, dull orator, from speaking out, For silence deepens when you raise the shout; But when you hold your tongue we hear, at least, Your noise in mastering that little beast.

Stop speaking, boring speaker, because your shouting only makes the silence more profound; yet when you are quiet, we can finally perceive your true noise overpowering that small creature.

_The poem critiques the orator's ineffective and overwhelming speech._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/to-w-h-l-b
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters