But the young, young children, O my brothers, Do you ask them why they stand Weeping sore before the bosoms of their mothers, In our happy Fatherland?
EBB's use of "my brothers" is strategic. She is not passing judgement, but rather, rallying society. By placing herself along side with her countrymen, she effectively "elbows" her neighbors in saying, "I don't find this acceptable. Do you?" Like the opening quote, EBB corners her readers in a position where they couldn't endorse the current treatment of the children because that would make them look uncaring and unconscionable.