Page:Armistice Day.djvu/464

442 shoulder. continues); whose women in sorrow and despair are weeping among the ruins of their homes; whose children, ragged and wretched, are starving and begging on the roadsides? Is this a country? No, it is a desert, more dreadful far than any wild and sandy waste of the Sahara! Shame on thee, War (turning to the kneeling figure), that thou canst speak one word in thy defense, when thou destroyest sacred human life! (First  drops head.)

(motioning to ). Enough, my daughter! Thou hast abased thine adversary, but we may not forget that he is ofttimes needed to preserve thee in thy sweet content. Look up, Sir Warrior ( lifts head, but does not rise from knees), and know that thou servest not, save that thy cause be just. (Turning to audience.) Ye have harkened unto Peace, ye people, and plainly we see by your flushed cheeks and shining eyes that ye approve her words. It needs not that we hear again what has been set down upon the tablets, for well I believe that the substance of it is engraved upon your hearts. (Turning to second lad.) Bring me the wreath of olives!

( leaves, left, and returns with wreath of olive leaves. Any small, gray-green, dusky, pointed leaf will do (see encyclopedia for