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Show The Unknown Dead (Stanzas in commemoration of the Unknown American Soldier, interred at Arlington No 11. 1921 ) 1 am tbe numberless Unknowa Who have cast the ehrouda of things that aeem. My grave la planet'a cornerstone, Holding the aahea of a dream. Whose aacrificial fire blares from lone lo lone. I am the wastrel child whom War Hath rendered baptism, not In birth But death, where tha unseen hosts that pour Ubation on tha blood-dark earth, Intone through my muta lips the eternall Nevermorol Yea, Nevermore! By that mystic name Youth's hallow'd blood hath christened me Nevermore I Ya living, let It flame The challenge of your destiny Nevermore! to pride and pestilence and hate and shame! War Nevermore! O Uvea that pray For liberation, make that will Your watchword, till tha thing ye say Becomes tha law your deeds fulfill! Then I with Christ will rise In sanction from my clay. Fot I am dust of a deathless spark) Unmastered angina self-ensnared) The bullet-molder and his mark, - Shattered by dazzling creeds I shared With you and your own blindness muffles me In dark. But my dark shall have no need of the sun Neither of the moon to shine In It, If Christ His dawning Will be done, And this my clay-bed shall be lit By the stars that blanket me, If my last fight be won. Masters of life! On your decree, Unknown and numberless, I waltl From war's earth-blind captivity Untnmb me! Let your love be fate And crown my risen youth with timeless victory! Percy Mackaye. |