I think it's more like this: Some men are Titans and some men are gods, And some are gods who fall while climbing back Up to Olympus whence they came. And some While fighting for the race fall into holes Where to return and rescue them is death. Why look you here! You'd think America Had gone to war to cheat the guillotine Of Thomas Paine, in fiery gratitude. He's there in France's national assembly, And votes to save King Louis with this phrase: Don't kill the man but kill the kingly office. They think him faithless to the revolution For words like these--and clap! the prison door Shuts on our Thomas. So he writes a letter To president--of what! to Washington President of the United States of America, A title which Paine coined in seventy-seven Now lettered on a monstrous seal of state! And Washington is silent, never answers, And leaves our Thomas shivering in a cell, Who hears the guillotine go slash and click! Perhaps this is the nucleus of my drama. Or else to show that Washington was wise Respecting England's hatred of our Thomas, And wise to lift no finger to save Thomas, Incurring England's wrath, who hated Thomas For pamphlets like the "Crisis" "Common Sense." That may be just the story for my drama. Old Homer satirized the human race For warring for the rescue of a Cyprian. But there's not stuff for satire in a war Ensuing on the insult for the rescue Of nothing but a fellow who wrote pamphlets, And won a continent for the rescuer. That's tragedy, the more so if the fellow Likes rum and writes that Jesus was a man. This crushing of poor Thomas in the hate Of England and her power, America's Great fear and lowered strength might make a drama As showing how the more you do in life The greater shall you suffer. This is true, If what you battered down gets hold of you. This drama almost drives me mad at times. I have his story at my fingers' ends. But it won't take a shape. It flies my hands. I think I'll have to give it up. What's that? Well, if an audience of to-day would turn From seeing Thomas Paine upon the stage What is the use to write it, if they'd turn No matter how you wrote it? I believe They wouldn't like it in America, Nor England either, maybe--you are right! A drama with no audience is a failure. But here's this skull. What shall I do with it? If I should have it cased in solid silver There is no shrine to take it--no Cologne For skulls like this. Well, I must die sometime, And who will get it then? Look at this skull! This bony hand! Then look at me, my friend: A man who has a theme the world despises! RECESSIONAL IN TIME OF WAR MEDICAL UNIT--