And all the multitude of the fleas, cried out in chorus, “Amen.”
By this time, all the poor dogs were shaking like leaves in the breeze, and they cried out: “What shall we do? What shall we do?”
And the voice thundered again:
“Bow down, bow down to the Flag of the Free,
Bow down, and thank God for sweet Liberty.”
And all the multitude of the prostrate fleas, cried out again in chorus: “Aye! Bow down.”
And again the ghostly lights flashed, and all manner of solemn and awful noises were heard.
And the dogs being dazed and dazzled and confused with the awful sights and sounds, began everywhere to fall down and worship the Flag, and, catching the enthusiasm, they soon were shouting as loud as they could, which with many of them was not very loud; for they were so hungry and weak that their breath failed them, but they did the best they could.
Then was lifted up the voice of the Reverend Tee de Little Wit Blatherskite, proclaiming: “Let there now be a time of silent lifting up of the heart in thanksgiving to God for this our Flag, the most glorious on earth, and for these our liberties, the only real ones on earth.”
And it was so. And there came a solemn hush over all the bowed assembly, broken only by pious sighs, groans and ejaculations from the fleas, which, by contagion, was taken up by the dogs, who were soon sighing and groaning and ejaculating too, until the air was heavy with a solemn buzz. Then there blew a holy wind from Heaven, that lifted up the folds of the beautiful flag and caused it to wave with solemn flappings most beautifully; and the solemn darkness began to pass away, to the accompaniment of low, soft music, as of angel songs stealing down from Heaven; and the sun shone out in splendor, and cast his brilliant beams right on the beautiful Flag, that was transfigured in the glory of it.