<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">The Flag Speaks</h1><p class="byline"> WALTER E. PECK <br xmlns:exist="http://exist.sourceforge.net/NS/exist" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"/><span class="smallcaps">IN The Hamilton Literary Magazine</span></p><div class="stanza"><p class="line">RIBBONS of white in the flag of our land, </p><p class="line">Say, shall we live in fear? </p><p class="line">Speak! For I wait for the word from your lips </p><p class="line">Wet with the brine of the sea-going ships; </p><p class="line">Speak! Shall we cringe 'neath an Attila's whips? </p><p class="line">Speak! For I wait to hear!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">''This is our word," said the ribbons of white; </p><p class="line">"This is the course to steer--</p><p class="line">Peace is our haven for foul or for fair--</p><p class="line">Won as a maiden and kept as an heir, </p><p class="line">Peace with the sunlight of God on her hair, </p><p class="line">Peace, with an honor clear!"</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Ribbons of red in the flag of our land, </p><p class="line">Bought for a price full dear, </p><p class="line">Speak! For 'tis Man that is asking Man, </p><p class="line">Churl in the centuries' caravan, </p><p class="line">Speak! For he waits for your bold "I can!" </p><p class="line">Speak! For he waits to hear!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"This is our word," said the ribbons of red, </p><p class="line">Slowly, with gaze austere, </p><p class="line">"War if we must in humanity's name,</p><p class="line">Shielding a sister from sorrow and shame;</p><p class="line">War upon beasts with the sword and with flame! </p><p class="line">War--till the judge appear!"</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Stars in a field of the sky's own blue, </p><p class="line">Light of a midnight year, </p><p class="line">Speak! For the spirit of Man awakes, </p><p class="line">Shoulders the cross, and his couch forsakes, </p><p class="line">Whispers a prayer, and the long way takes, </p><p class="line">Speak! For he waits to hear!</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"This is our word," said a star of white, </p><p class="line">Set in the silken mere, </p><p class="line">"Right against Might on the land, on the sea! </p><p class="line">Little and Great are the same to me!</p><p class="line">Onlv for Truth and for Liberty</p><p class="line">Strike! For the hour is here!" </p></div></body></html> · Great War