The Little Book of the Flag

by Eva March Tappan

YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR FLAG

EDWARD EVERETT HALE

"If you are ever tempted to say a word or to do a thing that shall put a bar between you and your country, pray God in His mercy to take you that instant home to His own heaven. Stick by your family, boy; forget you have a self, while you do everything for them. Think of your home, boy; write and send, and talk about it. Let it be nearer and nearer to your thoughts, the farther you have to travel from it; and rush back to it when you are free. And for your country, boy,"—and the words rattled in his throat,—"and for that flag,"—and he pointed to the ship,—"never dream a dream but of serving her as she bids you, though the service carry you through a thousand hells. No matter what happens to you, no matter who flatters you or who abuses you, never look to another flag, never let a night pass but you pray God to bless that flag. Remember, boy, that behind all these men you have to do with, behind officers, and government, and people even, there is the Country Herself, your Country, and that you belong to Her as you belong to your own mother. Stand by Her, boy, as you would stand by your mother."

THE HOME FLAG

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

And at the masthead,

White, blue, and red,

A flag unrolls the stripes and stars.