"Ancestral voices prophesying war." THE MAN SPEAKS When torpid stands the blood of civic life,
What shall revive but armè d strife? THE WOMAN The call to arms but calls your bravest brave--
Ye lose but that which it were Life to save! THE MAN When outland insults press the Sovereign State,
What shall avenge but War--what vindicate? THE WOMAN Who shall avenge the dead that War hath slain--
The mingled valor of the blood-drench'd plain? THE MAN The cry of Mars upon the citadel!--
I would be hence, the mustering throng to swell! THE WOMAN I, with Saturnia, breathing mist, would go--
To blind and stay the feet of friend and foe!