Swords and Plowshares/The Epitaph
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ABOVE his grave they raised a stone
That towered toward the sky,
And on it they carved in shadows deep
These words that held mine eye:
That towered toward the sky,
And on it they carved in shadows deep
These words that held mine eye:
"Here lies a patriot soldier bold,
Who at his country's call
With joy laid down his youthful life;
Sweet is it thus to fall."
Who at his country's call
With joy laid down his youthful life;
Sweet is it thus to fall."
That night by the ghostly moonlit stone
We saw an angel stand,
And he wiped that labored legend out
With a sweep of his silver hand.
We saw an angel stand,
And he wiped that labored legend out
With a sweep of his silver hand.
Then with a finger that seemed to glow
Like a flame that was pale and blue
He traced a single white-hot word
That scorched us through and through.
Like a flame that was pale and blue
He traced a single white-hot word
That scorched us through and through.
"Angel of Truth," we cried, aghast
(How did we know his name?),
"What means upon our hero's tomb
This word of burning shame?
(How did we know his name?),
"What means upon our hero's tomb
This word of burning shame?
"Was he a traitor who fought so well
Against his nation's foe—
A 'traitor,' who gave his life's red blood
When his country bade it flow?"
Against his nation's foe—
A 'traitor,' who gave his life's red blood
When his country bade it flow?"
"He was a traitor," like a bell
Of silver Truth replied:
"Traitor to more than country's call
Or patriot's loyal pride—
Of silver Truth replied:
"Traitor to more than country's call
Or patriot's loyal pride—
"Traitor to freedom when he sought
To subjugate the free—
Traitor to love when, steeped in hate,
He crossed the distant sea—
To subjugate the free—
Traitor to love when, steeped in hate,
He crossed the distant sea—
Traitor to conscience when he stilled
Its cry of pain within—
Nay, traitor to his country too
For helping her to sin."
Its cry of pain within—
Nay, traitor to his country too
For helping her to sin."
Back toward the stars the angel rose,
And when he disappeared
We chiseled out that shameful word,
Tho deep the stone was seared,
And when he disappeared
We chiseled out that shameful word,
Tho deep the stone was seared,
And once again we carved the lines
Which told our hero's deed
So deep and clear the words appear
That he who runs may read.
Which told our hero's deed
So deep and clear the words appear
That he who runs may read.
And there they stay until this day
To publish his renown,
For, tho we feared the angel's wrath,
He never again came down.
To publish his renown,
For, tho we feared the angel's wrath,
He never again came down.
Yet, when I read those deep-cut lines,
Between them and behind
I see aflame another name
That burns into my mind.
····
Traitor to freedom, truth and love,
Traitor to good and right—
What patriot boast can save his soul
Who falls in such a fight?
Between them and behind
I see aflame another name
That burns into my mind.
····
Traitor to freedom, truth and love,
Traitor to good and right—
What patriot boast can save his soul
Who falls in such a fight?