[McMASTER UNIVERSITY.]
As some grey captain of a merchantship,
Whose prosperous voyage o'er the watery strife
Has large concern for all, knows that his wife
Waits his home-coming up the horizon's dip
With holier heart than crowds that throng the slip,
So He well knew, thou—flower-elect of life!
Chosen from out a clamor of voices rife—
Waitedst his voyage o'er with prayerful lip.
Fair Bride, forget him not through circling years!
But with a Christ-like love, deep as unfeigned
Surpassing that of commerce or of state,
With holy hands thy dower devote with tears
Of gratitude and loyal heart unstained;
Thy sacred vow perform with soul elate.
[CONDUCT.]
Nay, Arnold, not "three-fourths" but all "of life"!
The ethic spirit that makes conduct so,
Slays all mythologies and witchcrafts, lo,
False sciences as well, with ruthless knife,
Lest intercourse of human souls be rife
With demi-gods and unclean things below,
And work corruption at the founts that flow,
From hearts of fellowmen in loving strife.
That spirit more than science is the hope
Of man's uplifting, and doth knowledge make
Servant of individual, social worth.
Not truth for truth's own sake, as tense we cope
With life, but rather truth for love's own sake
Calls forth heaven's plaudit round the girdled earth.