[The desperate cry pierces all the tumult and brings complete silence upon the scene.]
O People, my People, my People,
Where are your wits and your hearts and your souls?
What have you done with the destiny I left you?
Fools! Fools! Fools!
[A stricken sigh goes up from the people and those about Freedom fall upon their knees.]
Man does not seek the dream that is not his,
Nor dream the search to which he was not destined,
Nor hope for that which he does not believe.
Who would be free is free;
Who would be otherwise is otherwise.
Ever man is himself man’s enemy;
Ever man’s fear to be himself shall be
Between man and man’s liberty.
[A murmur goes up from the people. She looks sorrowfully and majestically over them.]
Soldiers of Freedom!
Comrades of Freedom!
Brothers of Freedom!
Children of Freedom!
Not slaves, but men!
Not sheep, but men!
Not masses, but men!
I cannot set you free who were born free.
Nor strike your shackles off who were born slaves.
Be to yourselves yourselves, the rest is glory.
[A louder murmur and many of the crowd lift their hands to her.]
Workmen and workwomen!
Children and aged!
You were born of the past!
You are pledged to the future.
[She goes a little up among the kneeling crowd.]
Soldiers of Freedom,
Comrades of Freedom,
Brothers of Freedom,
You! You! And You!
I lead again! I live again! I love!
Who dares to follow now!
Who comes beside me, bravely and alone,
Not one of masses, but as man alone?
What, none?
Are you all masses, then?