Brand.
[Hesitating.]
Suppose the case—that he spoke true?
The Man.
Then to us all you've basely lied.
Brand.
Have I ?
The Man.
How oft you've told us, you,
That God has call'd you to the strife,
That here you've made your home for life,
That <g>here</g> you'll bear the battle through,
That none may shirk the call to serve,
That all must fight and never swerve,
<g>You</g> have the Call! How flames and flashes
In many a heart the fire you've fed!
Brand.
This people's heart is hard and dead!
Their ear is deaf, their fire is ashes!
The Man.
O, you know better;—radiant day
To many a heart has found its way.
Brand.
In tenfold others all is night.
The Man.
You're sent to be their beacon-light
But be the numbers as you choose,
Here is no need to closely scan;
For here I stand, one only Man,