And what of those who have made that greatest of all sacrifices? If they
could speak again, what would they tell us of the value of freedom? Would
they feel cheated, deprived, regretful of what they have given for others? I
think not. I believe they would reaffirm forever the truths set forth by the silent
speaker in the following lines.
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He uttered not a single sound nor raised his gory head,
But grinned the grin of silent men
Who lay among the dead.
The air hung still, as cold air will,
O'er a field that death has gleaned;
And walls of silence thick and deep replaced the dying screams.
I gazed into that icy glare of eyes that see no more,
Then cringed and retched and moaned aloud,
"Oh God, what was it for?"
'Twas then I heard the phantom word from the carcass by my side,
And my heart turned cold and my stomach rolled,
And I felt the need to hide.
For dead men do not speak, I knew, dead men tell no tales,
But an airless lung and a lifeless tongue gave forth a mournful wail.
I tried to scream and I tried to run, but for all my efforts failed,
As by unseen hand I was forced to stand,
And the dead man's words prevailed.
"If I had lived a hundred years, yet I would have died,
And there might have been no bosom friend to kneel here by my side.
But I've received a priceless gift,
My death has been worthwhile,
For the precious knell of liberty's bell still rings for someone's child.
Because of me men still walk free
And little children play
In a land where a man is still a man, and the furls of freedom sway.
So give me now my due, my friend, and shed no tears for me,
For I'll be dead, but I'll not be gone
So long as men walk free."
Then the chilling wind swept by again
And quelled the silent sound,
And I felt the beat beneath my feet of the heart of hallowed ground.
Then I gave salute to the pallid brute
Who lay there in the dust,
And I knew, I too, would die for you if for freedom's cause I must.
And I thanked my God for the phantom voice
That had risen from the strife,
For at last I knew where the scales would tip
'Tween liberty and life.
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