Walden's Miscellaneous Poems which the author desires to dedicate to the Cause of Education and Humanity |
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THE GOLDEN RULE:
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 | Walden's Miscellaneous Poems |  |
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THE GOLDEN RULE:
ITS INRRODUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY.
[_]
[This rhetorical poem was written in honor of Prof. A. L. Barber, who was the principal on my entering school.]
When first we came unto this school,
They introduced the golden rule,
And put us in the narrow way
In which we journey on to-day.
They introduced the golden rule,
And put us in the narrow way
In which we journey on to-day.
How precious did that rule appear
To us who had assembled here;
And in that road a shining light
To guide each student's feet aright.
To us who had assembled here;
And in that road a shining light
To guide each student's feet aright.
But soon new laws were multiplied,
And roads branched out on either side;
A law applied to every case,
A road prepared for every race.
And roads branched out on either side;
A law applied to every case,
A road prepared for every race.
And we with not a word to say,
Except those laws we should obey,
Nor did a foot once turn aside,
To tread the way both rough and wide.
Except those laws we should obey,
Nor did a foot once turn aside,
To tread the way both rough and wide.
But blended laws and roads in one,
That we no duty thus might shun;
Unto God's sceptre bowed and prayed
That we might never be dismayed.
That we no duty thus might shun;
Unto God's sceptre bowed and prayed
That we might never be dismayed.
73
As soon as classes were assigned
And teachers given, much refined;
Each heart was filled with many joys
Among the girls, among the boys.
And teachers given, much refined;
Each heart was filled with many joys
Among the girls, among the boys.
Now looking back upon the past,
To view the ranks where we were classed,
And each one's friend will quickly see,
That we were placed within Class D.
To view the ranks where we were classed,
And each one's friend will quickly see,
That we were placed within Class D.
With energy we sought to rise,
To mingle with the great and wise;
In ways unknown we do succeed,
And now we bear the highest meed.
To mingle with the great and wise;
In ways unknown we do succeed,
And now we bear the highest meed.
Another thought I may unfurl,
Because we represent the world;
Of every tribe and every race,
And each one in his proper place.
Because we represent the world;
Of every tribe and every race,
And each one in his proper place.
Like yonder Sun, his highest rays,
The nation's eyes will on us gaze,
And she will mark the way we tread
When we to higher ranks have fled.
The nation's eyes will on us gaze,
And she will mark the way we tread
When we to higher ranks have fled.
And when you 've left the shores of time
I 'll weave your footprints up in rhyme;
And change my verses to a song
When you those pearly gates shall throng.
I 'll weave your footprints up in rhyme;
And change my verses to a song
When you those pearly gates shall throng.
And when I come I 'll look to see
The one so kind to you and me;
And there together we will sing,
And make the heavenly echoes ring.
The one so kind to you and me;
74
And make the heavenly echoes ring.
Teacher, I would not flatter you,
To say that you are just and true,
Nor prove unkind to my class-mate,
To say he often calls you great.
To say that you are just and true,
Nor prove unkind to my class-mate,
To say he often calls you great.
But speaking for myself alone,
Have you not to me pity shown?
Your ways e'er long have been my guide—
To you a thousand hearts have tied.
Have you not to me pity shown?
Your ways e'er long have been my guide—
To you a thousand hearts have tied.
And now we step upon the boat,
Which will on higher billows float;
And onward she will cast her sail,
When driven by the nightly gale.
Which will on higher billows float;
And onward she will cast her sail,
When driven by the nightly gale.
And had we now an ounce of time,
We would on higher ladders climb;
The gates of college we would raise,
And then on deeper mysteries gaze.
We would on higher ladders climb;
The gates of college we would raise,
And then on deeper mysteries gaze.
But, ah! the day is growing late,
To hear my song you cannot wait;
But had my harp another string,
This song I then would play and sing.
To hear my song you cannot wait;
But had my harp another string,
This song I then would play and sing.
| Walden's Miscellaneous Poems | |