Page:Poems of Patriotism (1942).djvu/30

 Since men with life must purchase life
 * And some must die that more may live,

Unto the Great Cashier of strife
 * A fine accounting let me give.

Perhaps tomorrow I shall stand
 * Before his cage, prepared to buy

New splendor for my native land:
 * Oh, God, then bravely let me die!

If after I shall fall, shall rise
 * A fairer land than I have known,

I shall not grudge my sacrifice,
 * Although I pay the price alone.

If still more beautiful to see
 * The Stars and Stripes o’er men shall wave

And finer shall my country be,
 * Tomorrow let me find my grave.

Tonight life seems so fair and sweet,
 * Yet tyranny is stalking here,

And hate and lust and foul deceit
 * Hang heavy on the atmosphere.