Look that you curb us not, My men and I; For present liberties enslave tomorrow, And present triumphs shackle future years. We see no limit set upon our purpose Short of the Godhead ... so, restrain us not. Be it here sworn: These dead of Lexington Have not vainly died, These living Have not vainly dreamed. [_She goes on up the stair._] THE CHOIR (_Almost a whisper._) These dead.... THE CHORUS (_Off stage, an echo of the burial song._) God, tell our fathers how their sons have died! THE CHRONICLER The story of the American Freedom is begun. [_The singing subsides and Freedom turns again, lifting her right arm in a supreme gesture of command. Thereupon light blazes over the first Spokesman and the clarion words of Patrick Henry break from his lips._] THE FIRST SPOKESMAN Appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts! There is no peace! Our brethren are already in the field! [_Another gesture from Freedom and the second Spokesman is illuminated to shout, as his antiphonal response, the words of Tom Paine._] THE SECOND SPOKESMAN Oh, ye that love mankind, stand forth! Oh, ye that dare oppose the tyranny and the tyrant, stand forth! THE FIRST SPOKESMAN Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! THE SECOND SPOKESMAN Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. England hath given her warning to depart. Oh, receive the fugitive and prepare, in time, an asylum for mankind! [_Freedom’s two arms go wildly up._] A GREAT SHOUT FROM THE HILLS Give me liberty or give me death! FREEDOM Who shall be master of this high event, And take revolt beneath his government? THE CHOIR Washington! Washington! Washington! FREEDOM An hour, a destiny, And the need of man For leadership, these three God answers perfectly; And, in the tumult and the darkness, lo, A hero comes So solemnly, And the shoutings die and the drums Are still and the van Of battle takes its leader so, And the race, its guardian, And none has been more greatly strong than he In resolution and humility. THE CHOIR (_Almost in a whisper._) Washington! [_Three men have ridden into the scene. They are Patrick Henry, Edmund Pendleton and George Washington. There to meet them come the President of the Continental Congress and Members of Congress. Washington dismounts and advances until the President and he stand face to face._] THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (_Very solemnly._) We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be general and commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies and of all the forces now raised or to be raised by them for the defense of American Liberty. [_He presents the sword of office to Washington who stands looking very seriously at it._] WASHINGTON