The free-born legs stand striding as they will.

Much have I tried to guide the fist along,

But still the blunderers placed their blottings wrong:

Behold these marks uncouth! how strange that men,

Who guide the plough, should fail to guide the pen.

For half a mile the furrows even lie;

300

For half an inch the letters stand awry;—

Our peasants, strong and sturdy in the field,

Cannot these arms of idle students wield;