Page:Poems of Patriotism (1942).djvu/31

 Injustice seeks to throttle right,
 * And laughter’s stifled to a sigh.

If death can take so great a blight
 * From human lives, then let me die.

If death must be the cost of life,
 * And freedom’s terms are human souls,

Into the thickest of the strife
 * Then let me go to pay the tolls.

I would enrich my native land,
 * New splendor to her flag I’d give,

If where I fall shall freedom stand,
 * And where I die shall freedom live.

Tomorrow death with me may trade;
 * Let me not quibble o’er the price;

But may I, once the bargain’s made,
 * With courage meet the sacrifice.

If happiness for ages long
 * My little term of life can buy,

God, for my country make me strong;
 * Tomorrow let me bravely die.