If, Yes and Perhaps / Four Possibilities and Six Exaggerations with Some Bits of Fact

by Edward Everett Hale

Presence of mind to put in act my will,

Whate'er the occasion be;

And so to live, unforced by any fear,

Beneath those laws of peace, that never are

Affected with pollutions popular

Of unjust injury,

As to bear safe the burden of hard fates,

Of foes inflexive, and inhuman hates!"

The tones died away; the company was hushed for a moment; and the old chief then said gravely to his petulant follower, "That is what men fight for, boy." But the boy did not need the counsel. Homer's manner, his voice, the music itself, the spirit of the song, as much as the words, had overcome him; and the boasting soldier was covering his tears with his hands.