Page:Armistice Day.djvu/463

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THE CROWNING OF PEACE
441

warmed and clothed, and surround himself with comfort and beauty. Peace brings education, which extends to all men the wisdom of the past, the knowledge of the present, and the hopes of the future. Music, poetry, and the drama flourish under the beneficent rule of Peace. (Steps forward slightly.) Nor may War claim that he alone can teach obedience, faithfulness to duty, endurance, hardihood, patience, strength, and skill. (Here War begins gradually to move backward toward place of entrance on right, and first Herald, looking anxiously toward Liberty, to follow him slowly. Second Herald ceases to write and looks admiringly on Peace. Peace continues.) And where may the value of coöperation which War so boasts that he can teach, be shown as in the arts of Peace? Not a chain is welded, not a wheel turns, not a building rises, save all men work together for the common end! War vaunts that he brings us love of country! (Here Peace steps forward, raises voice, and speaks with greater enthusiasm.) Do we love that which we destroy? Of what value is a land whose men are falling on distant battlefields, in suffering unspeakable, alone and unattended (War falls to his knees and hides face in hands, his spear clanging down by his side, and so remains until Liberty speaks. First Herald stands beside him protectingly, his hand on War's