Catle, Emily P.

BSED – Math

The Spanish Armada by Queen Elizabeth I

Addressed to the English Army at Tilbury Fort - 1588

“My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that we are careful of our safety, to take heed how
we commit ourselves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but, I do assure you, I do not desire to live
to distrust my faithful and loving people.

Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself, that under God I have placed my chiefest strength and
safeguard in the loyal hearts and goodwill of my subjects; and, therefore, I am come amongst you as you
see at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of battle, to
live or die amongst you all – to lay down for my God, and for my kingdoms, and for my people, my
honor and my blood even in the dust.

I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king – and of a
king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to
invade the borders of my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will
take up arms – I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns, and, we do assure you, on
the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. For the meantime, my Lieutenant-General Leicester
shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting
but by your obedience to my General, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall
shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom and of my people.”
Maaghop, Renalin C.

BSED - Math

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain't I A Woman?

Delivered 1851
Women's Rights Convention, Old Stone Church (since demolished), Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the
negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix
pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have
the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any
best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered
into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a
man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children,
and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard
me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers,
"intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't
hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure
full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't
a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a
woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these
women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to
do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.
Cortez, Reynaldo Jr. C

BSED – Math

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, “GETTYSBURG ADDRESS” (19 NOVEMBER 1863)

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in
Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so
dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a
portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.
It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate-we can not consecrate-we can not hallow-this ground. The
brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or
detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they
did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought
here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining
before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the
last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that
this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the
people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Cortez, Reynaldo Jr. C

BSED – Math

George Graham Vest – Tribute to a Dog

Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his
enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are
nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name may become
traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he
needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who
are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first to throw the stone
of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him,
the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man’s dog stands by him in prosperity
and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow
and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no
food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world.
He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains.
When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its
journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks
no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his
enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is
laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will
the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful
and true even in death.