What gave thee birth, demands thy service too?
Pay, then thy debt to her who has the right!

POLY.
Ah, for my country I would gladly fight!
I know the glory of a hero's name,
I feel the thrill,--I recognise the claim.
My life I owe to whom I owe my sword--
But most to Him who gave it--to the Lord!
Oh, if to die for fatherland be sweet,
To die for Him--my God--what word is meet?

PAUL.
Which God?

POLY.
Hush! hush! Pauline; the God who hears
And answers prayers,--gives hopes, assuages fears.
Thy gods are deaf and senseless, maimed and weak,
Tongues, mouths they have, and yet they cannot speak.
The Christians' God alone is mine,--is thine,
Jehovah only rules--supreme--divine!

PAUL.
Adore Him in thy heart, but say no word!

POLY.
What! Can I call Jove and Jehovah--Lord?

PAUL.