THE FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE 229 
no less, but even higher and wider, will I mete and 
measure for our wants to-day and here. I demand 
races of orbie bards, with unconditional, uncompro- 
mising sway. Come forth, sweet democratic despots 
of the west!” 
Here is another passage of a political cast, but 
showing the same great pinions and lofty flight: — 
‘“*It seems as if the Almighty had spread before 
this nation charts of imperial destinies, dazzling as 
the sun, yet with lines of blood, and many a deep 
intestine difficulty, and human aggregate of canker- 
ous imperfection, — saying, Lo! the roads, the only 
plans of development, long, and varied with all ter- 
rible balks and ebullitions. You said in your soul, 
I will be empire of empires, overshadowing all else, 
past and present, putting the history of Old World 
dynasties, conquests, behind me as of no account, — 
making a new history, the history of Democracy, 
making old history a dwarf,—TI alone inaugurating 
largeness, culminating time. If these, O lands of 
America, are indeed the prizes, the determinations 
of your Soul, be it so. But behold the cost, and al- 
ready specimens of the cost. Behold the anguish 
of suspense, existence itself wavering in the balance, 
uncertain whether to rise or fall; already, close be- 
hind you and around you, thick winrows of corpses 
on battlefields, countless maimed and sick in hos- 
pitals, treachery among Generals, folly in the Execu- 
tive and Legislative departments, schemers, thieves 
everywhere,— cant, credulity, make-believe every- 
where. Thought you greatness was to ripen for you, 
