DEDICATION OF GETTYSBURG CEMETERY 211 It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us; that 5 from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, 10 by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 1. Edward Everett was the chief speaker at the dedication. His oration was delivered from an open platform on the battlefield to an audience of tens of thousands. He spoke for two hours. Then the President was called upon to "make a few remarks," and this great little speech followed. One who was present said: "The tall form of the President appeared on the stand, and never before have I seen a crowd so vast and restless, after standing so long, so soon stilled and quieted." 2. You can do nothing more profitable than re-read this speech till you know it by heart. The language is simple and direct. As a political document and as an example of fine English, the speech should become one of the permanent possessions of your memory. With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the s battle, and for his widow and his orphan-to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves, and with all nations. -Abraham Lincoln. ΤΟ UP FLAG O' MY LAND By T. A. DALY TO the breeze of the morning I fling you, Blending your folds with the dawn in the sky; There let the people behold you, and bring you Love and devotion that never shall die. Standard most glorious, banner of beauty, Unto no other allegiance I owe. Heart of me, soul of me, yours to command, Pine to palmetto and ocean to ocean, Though of strange nations we get our increase, Take us and make us your patriot band, 1. When do we celebrate Flag Day? What is the purpose of that day? Why is this a good poem to read on a Flag Day occasion? 2. Explain the meaning of lines 2, 10, 13-14. (Used by special permission of Harcourt, Brace, and Company, publishers of T. A. Daly's McAroni Ballads.) 15 TWICE-TOLD TALES He cometh unto you with a tale which holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney THE YOUTH WHO COULD NOT LIE ALONG time ago there was a man who had three sons. When the time came for him to die it was his wish to divide his property equally among them, but being old and weak he had forgotten how to count. After he had s given his two elder sons their shares he discovered that nothing was left for the youngest. "My dear Swen," he said, "this is a nice kettle of fish! I have given your brothers all that I possess and now I have nothing to bestow on you but my blessing and a pair of old Io woolen gloves." "Don't worry yourself about that, my dear father," replied Swen. "I am quite content with my share. An old pair of woolen gloves is a good thing to have when the cold nips one's fingers, and your blessing is worth more to 15 me than all the gold in the world." So Swen received the gloves and the blessing and a little later the father died. Swen slung his bow across his shoulders, hung his sword at his side, and tucked his flute away inside his jacket. Then putting the gloves in a pocket 20 he took leave of his brothers, wishing them the best of luck. He had scarcely turned his back before they began to quarrel over their inheritance. Swen, however, had gone whistling on his way to try his fortune in the great world, of which he had heard so much. 25 "How easily a fellow can march along when he has no pack and not so much as a penny to weigh him down!" thought Swen. |