Class Poem
By Miss A. L. Cox.
Class of ’88.
I did not come prepared to make an address here to-night,
But when I see you all, dear friends, ’tis such a pleasant sight,
I can’t refrain, but feel that I must say a word or two,
And give a hearty welcome, yes, to every one of you.
A little band, we gathered here upon this very spot;
Just eight short months ago it is, since then we cast our lot
Together for our Winter’s work: resolved that we would try
Our best to win; with hopes and purposes and aims set high,
We went to work. The opening lecture seemed so clear and plain,
That we could almost grasp the prize we were so sure to gain.
First came the alphabet. But we in sad dismay found out
That was an obstacle indeed that we could scarce surmount.
At last we thought we had it; yes, were sure we knew it all.
“You may each one recite it.” Hark! it was our teacher’s call.
Just imagine how we did it? You will guess it nearly right.
And then to say it backward! Were you e’er in such a plight?
Then we studied till (I mean it) e’en the paper on the wall,
Each door, and sash, and picture frame, and objects one and all,
In strokes and angles fairly danced before our very eyes,
And in our dreams they haunted us in every form and size.
Next in their turn the vowel sounds,—the symbols, dash and dot,
With rules and regulations charging us “Forget-me-not.”
Wish you could have heard us sound them. It was amusing, too;
Seemed like talking Chinese language,—ah, ā, ee; aw, o, oo.
Then came the hooks with many crooks to puzzle and perplex;
They were so very obstinate, and would be sure to vex;
For while we thought we had them right, they were just turned about,
And when we came to read them, we could scarcely make them out.
The circles didn’t seem so hard; for we could then detect
There were still new things coming that we did the least expect;
So prepared our minds to meet them and take them as they came;
At last we’d conquered everyone and knew them all by name.
But I suppose it is not right to tell tales out of school,
Our teacher will be saying that it is against the rule;
I have told you just a few of our trials by the way,
But it was not all so dreadful, I am very glad to say.
For we really loved our study; were fascinated, too,
And of the pleasant memories there linger not a few.
Well, examination over, then came the “tug of war”
To apply the various principles that we had learned before.
And oh! the work we made of it; we tried to run a race
To see who could write the fastest, and then to keep our place.
But study and toil are over; at last the race is run,
And we have gathered here to-night to say, “Our work is done.”
Members of this Society, our friends so kind and true,
God bless you! ’Tis a grand and noble work you aim to do;
Accept our heartfelt thanks, for it is all that we can give;
The knowledge we have gathered here will ever, while we live
Go with us, as with brighter skies our way in life to cope
Than in our dreams and fancies we had ever dared to hope.
And you, our teachers faithful, tried, we will not soon forget
The many pleasant hours that together we have spent;
How often by a kindly word you’ve helped to lead us on,
When we were nigh discouraged, and totally cast down;
And by your earnest zeal and aid we have, from day to day,
Gone onward, and we thank you; it is all that we can say.
And we classmates, while we truly, yes, earnestly, regret
To leave the little room up yonder “where the angels met,”
Can now rejoice together, for it has not been in vain,
That we’ve worked hard; yet we have won the prize we sought to gain.
