Berea High School - Prima Luce Yearbook (Berea, NC)

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PRIM A LUCE The guests arrive, and as I go I hear again those accents low. The curtain’s up and she’s all smiles, All loveliness and gentle wiles. Too early once, but, thanks to fate, For the peace of a lifetime not too late. Mr. Currin Man may the sterner virtues know, Determined justice, truth severe; But female hearts with pity glow, And woman holds affection dear ; For guiltless woes her sorrows flow, And suffering vice compels her tear ; ’Tis hers to soothe the ills below, And bid life’s fairer views appear. To woman’s gentle kind we owe What comforts and delights us here: They its gay hopes on earth bestow, And care they soothe, and age they cheer. Oh, woman’s love hath fondly turned To those in dungeons deep and dark, And beacon fires have steadily burned To light a long-expected bark. But what affection, true and tried, Which death can shake not, nor remove, Is hers, who feeds the lamp beside The sepulchre of buried love ! Mr. O’Brian She is modest, but not bashful, free and easy, but not bold, Like an apple ripe and mellow, not too young, and not too old, Half inviting, half repelling, now inviting, now too shy; There is mischief in her dimple, there is danger in her eye ; She can tell the very moment when to sigh and when to smile. Oh a maid is sometimes charming, but a widow all the while; Are you sad? how very serious will her handsome face become; Are you angry? She is wretched, lovely, friendless, tearful, dumb; Are you mirthful ? how her laughter, silver-sounding will ring out, She can lure, and catch, and play you, as the angler does the trout. Mr. Williford You’re alway abusing the women, As a terrible plague to men ; You say they’re the root of all evil, [ Page 43 j

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Mr. Williford She was a phantom of delight When first she glanced upon my sight; A lovely apparition, sent To be a moment’s ornament. I saw her upon a nearer view, A spirit, yet a woman too ! Her household motions light and free And steps of virgin liberty ; A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet ; A creature not too bright or good For human nature’s daily food ; For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine, A being breathing thoughtful breath, A traveller between life and death ; The reason firm, the temperate will. Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill, A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command ; And yet a spirit still, and bright With something of angelic light. Mr. Morris A ball last night Priscilla gave, And all were there, both saint and knave, And girls who, yet untaught in sighs, Let laughter loose from lips and eyes; Yet I, Priscilla’s willing slave, Cared not for girl nor saint nor knave, But only for that moment’s space When I might look into her face A nd tell the love herself must know, And listen to her answer low. Led on by thoughts of what’s in store, The foremost guest, I reached her door, Was ushered in and heard the voice Was wont to make my heart rejoice; But changed — in tone no longer low, As I was used that voice to know, The frightened butler she upbraids, Then turns, full cry, upon the maids. [ Page 42 ]

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And repeat it again and again : Of war, and quarrels, and bloodshed All mischief, be what it may; And pray, then, why do you marry them, If they’re all the plagues you say? And why do you take such care of them, And keep them so safe at home, And are never easy a moment If ever they chance to roam? When you ought to be thanking the heaven That your Plague is out of the way, You all keep fussing and fretting — Where is my plague to-day? If a plague peeps out of the window, Up go the eyes of men ; If she hides, then they all keep staring Until she looks out again. Mr. Morris That man must lead a happy life Who’s free from matrimonial chains; Who is directed by his wife Is sure to suffer for his pains. Adam could find no solid peace When Eve was given for a mate ; Till he beheld a woman’s face, Adam was in a happy state. Mr. Currin T hat man must lead a happy life Who is directed by his wife ; Who’s free fom matrimonial chains Is sure to suffer for his pains. Adam could find no solid peace Till he beheld a woman’s face; When Eve was given for a mate Adam was in a happy state. Mr. O’Brian Sly Beelzebub took all occasions To try Job’s constancy and patience : I Ie took his honor, took his health ; He took his children, took his wealth, His servants, horses, oxen, cows, But cunning Satan did not take his spouse.