In the constellate symbol and sign of the free United States.


IV

AFTER THE PIONEERS

After the pioneers--
Big-hearted, big-handed lords of the axe and the plow and the rifle,
Tan-faced tamers of horses and lands, themselves remaining tameless,
Full of fighting, labour and romance, lovers of rude adventure--
After the pioneers have cleared the way to their homes and graves on the
prairies:

After the State-builders--
Zealous and jealous men, dreamers, debaters, often at odds with each
other,
All of them sure it is well to toil and to die, if need be,
Just for the sake of founding a country to leave to their children--
After the builders have done their work and written their names upon it:

After the civil war--
Wildest of all storms, cruel and dark and seemingly wasteful,
Tearing up by the root the vines that were splitting the old foundations,
Washing away with a rain of blood and tears the dust of slavery,
After the cyclone has passed and the sky is fair to the far horizon;
After the era of plenty and peace has come with full hands to Texas,
Then--what then?

Is it to be the life of an indolent heir, fat-witted and self-contented,