[_The crowd turns towards the audience and listens as the Spokesmen speak words of Roosevelt’s._] THE FIRST SPOKESMAN No nation great as ours can escape the penalty of greatness. Ours is a government of liberty by, through and under the law. THE SECOND SPOKESMAN No man is above it and no man is below it. EIGHT VOICES We found our own, O my Soul, in the calm and cool of the daybreak. THE CHRONICLER The word is Wilson’s. THE FIRST SPOKESMAN There has been something crude and heartless and unfeeling in our haste to succeed and be great. THE SECOND SPOKESMAN The great government we loved has too often been made use of for private and selfish purposes and those who used it had forgotten the people. [_Through all this the music has progressed sometimes tempestuously, sometimes lyrically. Now it becomes swiftly and terribly sinister and, behind Freedom, where she sits immobile upon her throne, flashes of light, bloody and flaming, run along the balustrade of the uppermost level and the eyes of the people are turned fearfully upwards. Freedom does not move._] THE CHRONICLER The world is filled with dread and a great war wages but still Freedom holds aloof from her people, for this war is not waged in her name until the prophet, speaking, gives it meaning. THE FULL CHOIR Allons, through struggles and wars! The goal that was named cannot be countermanded. THE CHRONICLER Again, the word is Wilson’s. [_Freedom rises._ _The lurid terrace shifts and swarms with figures seen through smoke. Now a new army of olive drab bursts up over the crest and the next lines are shouted by the Choir over a wild pantomime of battle._] FIRST SPOKESMAN AND EIGHT VOICES We are glad now to fight thus for the ultimate peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples. THE SECOND SPOKESMAN AND SIXTEEN VOICES The world must be made safe for democracy. FREEDOM AND FOUR VOICES To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day is come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. THE WHOLE CHOIR God helping her, she can do no other! [_A great frenzy of enthusiasm takes the crowd and the music lifts itself into a supreme climax. But Freedom’s two arms go up for silence and the four Voices are heard again, the words of Carl Sandburg._] EIGHT VOICES (_Intoning upon a high wild note._) Smash down the cities, Knock the walls to pieces. Break the factories and cathedrals, warehouses and homes Into loose piles of stone and lumber and black burnt wood: You are the soldiers and we command you. [_The light dies upon the uppermost terrace and increases upon the crowd._] FOUR OTHER VOICES