College of William and Mary - Colonial Echo Yearbook (Williamsburg, VA)

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SENIOR CLASS POEM. XI i; K AM Kl) one night in joyous balm] June, 1 beneath i he i l- ni ■!!— silver n Phantoms passed within the shadows of tin- trees, MM winged elves 1 1 « bj with every breeze. All was silent, save from yonder wood, When r 1 1 . 1 1 1 .i • ; ia in oak. so stalwart, si I. There ea me t he ow let ' s weird, ominous i i Mid the pine-tree ' s moan and wear] sigh. Ml was silent, save from yonder « I There tame the pini tree ' s moan, the owlet ' s weird cry. Before we passed a living, rushing stream, Looking ghastly in Diana ' s yellow gleam, Rushing ever on with ne ' er a pause, Struggling as for some immortal cause. The stream of mortals never ceased to flow; And some mute power beckoned me to go; Bui yet another power stronger -till Bade me follow ii t the tempter ' s will. The stream of mortals never ceased to flow, Ami yet I followed not the tempters will. The voice that tempted me was clear and bold, And bade me follow her for fame and gold; I i i when I looked, a woman ' - form stood near. Then bending o ' er me whispered in my ear: ' Forsake, young man. the idol in thy heart. For wisdom i- in life a dreary part; Give ii | • thy aims, ambitions, and thy pride, And win the goddess Commerce to thy side. Forsake, young man. the idol in thy heart. And win the goddess Commerce to th] side. Far in the distance whither flowed the stream, A lighl burst forth — a mellow golden gleam. The temptress pointed with her jewelled hand. And there upon the shining, silver sand, Great man-ion- rose like magic in the air. And si, one in all their splendor, grand and fair. 1 looked again, and thro ' the golaen sheen A city ' s splendor could be dimly seen. iwi.it mansions rose like magic in the aii ■; A city ' s splendor could be dimly seen. [ 24

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inglj Inexhaustible store of knowledge, wnich the seven wise men possessed and the wisdom of the lordly Senior were the deepesl of mysteries, but before the end of our first year these mysteries had become as Eamiliar to us as the mysteries surrounding the right angle triangle and Cassar ' s strategic movements during the Gallic war. The next year we returned, no longer as Dues, but now as Sophomores, and the absence of many familiar faces revealed the fad thai there was no royal road to education, and that many of our number had fallen in the Slough of Despond, and turned back. So each succeeding year has marked a decrease in our number, and of thai greal host which began, iil eighteen have scaled the steep and thorny heights which lead to the much-coveted A. ! ' .. and ran now. as heroes, look down in sympathy upon our lower class-men and struggling humanity, and cr oui in our wisdom, Labor omnia vincit. A good many of our number have already become famous. In fact, iheiv i- scarcely a one of us who ha.- not distinguished himself in some phase of college life. Among our number may lie found heroes of the gridiron ami the diamond; poet®, orators, statesmen, politicians : members of the Eater ' s Club, members of the Liar ' s League, members of the Bachelor ' s Club, members of the Baldhead Club, members of the Calico Club, ami so on. iiil infinitum. In politic.-, those of us who are not too old to vote arc Puritan-pure prohibitionists, ami as such will supporl Judge Mann hi certain condition-. We are also firm believers in expansion, ami would advise Uncle Sam to devour everything in sight, excepl Japan, which migh! probably overtax his digestion. But probably one of the most remarkable facts about our class is that all of us, with the exception of one. have thus far successfully eluded the .-haft of Cupid, hut in obedience to the President ' s request, I shall not mention the names id ' this worthy disciple and victim of Cupid. We have found that ye ancient capital. like her fair maiden.-, improves on acquaintance, and our advice to those who arc mentally defective in any way would he to come to Williamsburg. The historian would here fain dip his pen in the ink again, and. guided by our brilliant past, prophesy for us a still greater future, Inn our future is with our prophet. .My task is done, ami as the curtain fall- u| this, the lasl scene of the lir.-l act in the drama of life, we turn to pay a parting tribute to our dear alma mater ami. as we cast our last lingering look upon scenes around which cluster so many happy memories and pleasant associations, inadvertently the ' re -teal- from our lip- the parting words of the poel : Farewell! a went that must lie. ami hath lioen — A sound which makes u- linger; — yet — farewell! 23

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On rushed the stream; and on each mortal face There shone determination — and life ' s race Sped madU one: for each to gain the Gold, Put Joy aside, and e ' en was Honor sold. Sacrificing all to thai vain goddess Fame; Or what was e ' en the stake in life ' s bold game. But what of that! For in yon shining light, The final goal shone dazzling clear and bright, Sacrificing all to that vain goddess Fame; The final goal shone dazzling clear and bright. Turning from that weird, yet enchanting scene, Turning from that dimly glimmering, golden sheen, 1 felt a holy presence — heard a voice, Bidding me to ponder well and make my choice. I looked into a gentle smiling face: Minerva, in her majesty and grace, In accents sweet and low, said: Choose thy goal. And calm rejoicing filled my falt ' ring soul. I looked into a gentle smiling face And calm rejoicing tilled my falt ' ring soul. Then looking forward thro ' the -hade of time, I saw the rocky heights there were to climb. The thorny path- thro ' which I need- nui-t go; The waves which fain would ti -- me to and fin. I gazed into the mi-t of years to come, I brushed away the webs, and heard the hum Of industry: A picture came to view ; I read the legend: To thyself he true. i gazed into the mi-t of year- to come, And lead the legend: To thyself he true. [ ENVOI. Standing on Parnassus ' glittering height. And gazing o ' er the foaming, glistening sea ; Aero— the heaving billows in it- Bight, Methinks a speeding hark I dimly see. Within that frail hark the warrior- hold. Have steered their craft into the tide of life. The Rubicon i- crossed; and from life ' s mould The warriors gaily leap into the strife. Untutored in the way- that rule the world. Unknowing how the bold and Btrong survive; Vet win they must: — the hanner i- unfurled. The warriors an- the Class of Naughty Five. May the fullness of God ' s blessing always go with you; Ami now we part, my comrades! Kind friend-, adieu! I IMES W 11 II VM I iOSSW - I 25 ]