It seemed a prank of fate, deep, strained, and hard,
But yet it must go on to its reward.
There was no moment lost; the hard words flew
From the pronouncer’s tongue like league base balls;
And as if veteran scholars, so spelled two,
Still at their post of duty ’long the walls.
They were the brilliant stars, and high did rise
In the fond gaze of all admiring eyes.
Full thirty words went forth in steady run;
And each the audience thought would be the last.