And threatened invasion seemed near.
The hand of the patriot went to the sword;
The pacifist muttered in fear;
He muttered, then sold to the Government, ground
Down hard by the burden of Thor,
Life’s veriest needs at prohibitive rates;
Conscription did curse and abhor.
Ben rode to the front with the coming of strife
Where the roar of the guns rose and fell;
Was killed while he strove for democracy’s cause