<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Choice</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="subhead"><span class="smallcaps">The American </span><span class="smallcaps">Spirit speaks</span>:</p><p class="line">To the Judge of Right and Wrong</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">With Whom fulfillment lies</p><p class="line">Our purpose and our power belong,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Our faith and sacrifice.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Let Freedom's land rejoice!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Our ancient bonds are riven;</p><p class="line">Once more to us the eternal choice</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Of good or ill is given.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Not at a little cost,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Hardly by prayer or tears,</p><p class="line">Shall we recover the road we lost</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In the drugged and doubting years.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But after the fires and the wrath,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">But after searching and pain,</p><p class="line">His Mercy opens us a path</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To live with ourselves again.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">In the Gates of Death rejoice!</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We see and hold the good --</p><p class="line">Bear witness, Earth, we have made our choice</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">For Freedom's brotherhood.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Then praise the Lord Most High</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Whose Strength hath saved us whole,</p><p class="line">Who bade us choose that the Flesh should die</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And not the living Soul!</p></div><p class="byline">Rudyard Kipling</p></body></html> · Great War