IV
Heard the maidens merry laughter,
As they played upon the green,
And the rythm of their footfalls,
Skipping o’er the hard terrene,
Saw the little boys and maidens
Drinking at the nearby well:
And upon the air vibrating
Heard again the master’s bell.
V
Plainly heard the foot-step sounding
On the floor with measured beats,
While the boys and girls were filing
Through the aisles towards their seats.
Saw the whole class sitting upright,
In position, one and all;
Heard distinctly “Here” and “Absent,”
Answered to the master’s call.
VI
I could see the master’s visage,
With its look of learned lore,
While Sol’s summer shadows lengthened
Slowly o’er the school house floor;
O’er his head there hung a motto
With the words, “God Bless Our School”
Standing in the left-hand corner
Was the oft-used Dunces’ stool.
VII
Heard him from the Holy Bible
Read from some New Testament,
And to each and every passage,
Young and old, attention lent.
Heard once more the school repeating
Earnestly the Saviour’s prayer,
While around a holy stillness
Floated on the ev’ning air.