People
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
— Nathan Hale · Hale is said to have delcared this on the gallows
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker treats having only one life as a limit on devotion to their country. Regret falls on the smallness of what they can give, rather than on giving it. That reversal makes the declaration an unusually forceful expression of loyalty.
Context reviewed