Northern Illinois University - Norther Yearbook (DeKalb, IL)

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s...-QQQS l x l ,.,, ...,... ...Wwe-wwf'-xg-.fn-:-f,vef,,fi-V' A - THE rNOf6Tf-IER TWICE COUNTED YERRS CA HALF CENTURY OF SCHOOL LIFE CONIPLETEDP The timed Agave, bearing in its name The altar of lustration, blooms to-day, All wonderful, illustrious its claim To far off heights where beauty holds its sway. Its bayonets of spiney-pointed leaves Full fifty years are lifted to the air, And all our northern summers pass in flowers, And all our northern winters bleak and bare, But patient through its far allotted time, Rejoicing in the crown of other flowers, It shares the fragrance of the roses' clime, It feels the freshness of the daisies' hours: Content in sturdy growth and solid strength Though fifty years be added to the nrst Its message to the shining stars is told, Its blessings to the wooing winds rehearsed. Then suddenly it lifts its shield of light As if Persephone had passed the place, All emeralds and yellows mingled bright XVhere lilies lend their stateliness of grace. Four thousand stars it offers to the skies, Four thousand flowers it flutters to the light, Four thousand chalices of Holy Grail, It holds for prairie blossoms blown in white. To-day we see its symbol wrought in life, To-day the anniversary of birth XVhen one took up the struggle and the strife That wage within the heritance of earth. Full fifty years of thought by study's lamp, Deep meditations in the twilights dim, Rare lessons in the mx steries of mind- Rare adoration in the solemn hymn. Full fifty years of effort that aspires The ranks of those who lead the nation's youth, The index finger pointed to the fires That all Promethean light on to Truth. Thus thought and toil complete a century, And lo! the panicle of petaled light, Starred, brilliant, beautiful, all tenderly ls lifted to the marvel of our sight, O teacher true! Thy first, six, childhood years Were theirs who gathered in thy rooftree's shade But all thy school-life, which the past endears, Within the cornerstone of state is laid,- '1'wice counted years, twice beautiful, twice fair, Full golden-crowned in the Agave flowers, Their influence like ceusers swung for prayer Atlown the litten corridors of ours. MINNIE ADELLA HAUSEN, .416 ri! 2 U, I Q 0 0. S571 im' Sec! fan