I beg it may be remembered that I this day declare with utmost sincerity I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. But, as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this service, I shall hope that my undertaking it is designed to answer some good purpose. [_He accepts the sword. A great sigh comes like a hope from all around._ _A roll of snare drums far away and the groupings shift so that Washington and Freedom stand alone together and the others draw aside. Drum rhythms succeed one another until they resolve into two themes. The one, played by the kettledrums, follows the syncopation of the Spokesmen’s words. The other, played by the snare drums, marks the time of a march. To this accompaniment, the Continental Army comes upon the scene. First, the farmers who have left their ploughs to join Warren for Bunker Hill. Then the tatterdemalion army of which Washington took command for the siege of Boston. Then the mob takes on form and appearance and order such as it must have had to accomplish Burgoyne’s defeat, and the retreat through Jersey. At the same time the Choir has begun to intone the Declaration of Independence. The two Spokesmen listen and take up their shouted responses. And the intoning runs rhythmically, following the accents of the kettledrums which, in their turn, follow the accents of Jefferson’s prose._] FOUR VOICES FROM THE CHOIR When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.... EIGHT VOICES FROM THE CHOIR (_Upon a higher note._) And to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them.... FOUR VOICES FROM THE CHOIR (_Upon the same note as before._) They should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.... THE FIRST SPOKESMAN We hold these truths to be self-evident.... FREEDOM All men are created free and equal.... THE SECOND SPOKESMAN Endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.... FREEDOM WITH FOUR VOICES Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.... THE FIRST SPOKESMAN To secure these rights governments are instituted among men.... THE SECOND SPOKESMAN Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.... FOUR VOICES FROM THE CHOIR Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends.... EIGHT VOICES FROM THE CHOIR (_Upon a higher note._) It is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.... TWELVE VOICES FROM THE CHOIR (_Upon a still higher note._) And to institute new government to provide new guards for their future security. THE FIRST SPOKESMAN AND FOUR VOICES We, therefore.... THE SECOND SPOKESMAN AND FOUR VOICES The representatives of the United States of America.... THE FIRST SPOKESMAN AND FOUR VOICES (_Upon a higher note._) In general congress assembled....