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- Soldiers of Freedom -
Katharine Lee Bates

They veiled their souls with laughter
And many a mocking pose,
These lads who follow after
Wherever Freedom goes;
These lads we used to censure
For levity and ease,
On Freedom's high adventure
Go shining overseas.

Our springing tears adore them
These boys at school and play,
Fair - fortuned years before them,
Alas! but yesterday;
Divine with sudden splendour
- Oh! how our eyes were blind! -
In careless self surrender
They battle for mankind -

Soldier of Freedom! Gleaming
And golden they depart,
Transfigured by the dreaming
Of boyhood's hidden heart.
Her lovers they confess them
And rushing on her foes
Toss her their youth - God bless them! -
As lightly as a rose -