As the curtain is raised, boys representing Roman soldiers march in. Under the command of their leader, they go through some military evolutions. At last the order corresponding to our “Attention!” is given. Every man stands like a statue.
A Messenger, wildly excited, rushes in from right of stage.
Messenger. Fire! The whole city burns! Your homes and all that you hold dear are in danger!
Rushes off at left.
During the alarm not one man moves. Not a quiver betrays their feelings. Officer gives command and leads them off at double-quick toward fire at right.
Curtain
Education and Any City appear before the curtain.
Any City. Magnificent! Now I know the source of that “Glory that was Greece,” and that “Grandeur that was Rome!” Surely never since those olden days have you seen such grace of body, such discipline of mind!
Education. Yes, I have seen little children at play who were as graceful as any trained dancer of old Greece; and have you forgotten our American lads that went down on the Tuscania? Surely the discipline and courage of those untried boys, who met death with a song on their lips, were equal even to that of the trained and tried legions of Imperial Rome.
Any City. But surely you do not deprecate such training and such discipline?
Education. Nay, far from it! It is only when such training and discipline are given but to certain classes that I tremble. Come with me and I will show you how the trained, the selected classes had power over their brother men until—But wait; you shall see for yourself. Come.
Exit Education and Any City.