a man must live. we justify

low shift and trick to treason high,

a little vote for a little gold

to a whole senate bought and sold,

by that self-evident reply.

but is it so? pray tell me why

life at such cost you have to buy?

in what religion were you told

a man must live?

there are times when a man must die.

imagine, for a battle-cry,

from soldiers, with a sword to hold,—

from soldiers, with the flag unrolled,—

this coward’s whine, this liar’s lie,—

a man must live!