And now, Life, Pride, Love, Patriotism and Death,
To you, O Freedom, purport of all!
(You that elude me
most — refusing to be caught in songs of
mine,)
I offer all to you.
'Tis not for nothing, Death,
I sound out you, and words of you, with daring tone —
embodying you,
In my
new Democratic chants — keeping you for a close,
For last impregnable retreat — a citadel and tower,
For
my last stand — my pealing, final cry.
1876