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Show AFTERWARDS By Theodore Olson of Tho Vigilantes They who have felt tho rapture and tho pain, t They who have known the glory and the grievfng, Consummate purpose, firing heart and brain, Consuming anguish, toil beyond be lieving; When they come back, and look you in the face, Fresh from the telling of an epic story, Crowned with the battle's sanctifying grace, Bearing within their eyes a conquering conquer-ing glory; How will you greet them? With averted gaze, Knowing too well how little of the guerdon, Fruit of their toil through horror-haunted horror-haunted days, Belongs to you, who never bore the burden; Knowing too well how, while they , strove and perished, You went your waj, safe from all fret and strife. Denying not one little thing you cherished, cher-ished, One petty luxury of pampered life; Knowing too well how you have shirked your task, Denied Ihe little that you had to aid them; What will you say when1 they ' como back, and ask Account from you, who hampered and betrayed them? Yours is the choice acceptance or denial; de-nial; Yours to acknowledge or refuse, tho debt; After it all. when you are put to trial, When they come back, think you they will forget? |