Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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Class Poem BY HENRY J. VAN DYKE, III. I A voice from the outer world Rings in our ears to-day, e Urging us forth from these classic walls 3 Like a martial trumpet it rouses and calls: Pause not nor stay No time to delay,' The great world hath need of you, Up and away! II Four times, good comrades, on our campus fair The fourfold change of Seasons has roll'd by, And with our thoughts and memories of friends Is mingled inextricably the dear Aspect of Princeton in her varied garb. Golden, glorious Autumn came And touched our campus trees with flame Through the breathless, wistful haze Of short Indian Summer days All the leaves came flutt'ring down- Yellow, red, and golden brown. In the drear days of November, Streaming from a cheerless sky, Raging through the naked tree-tops Silver rainstorms trampled by. 'Neath the frosts of bleak December Woods and fields lay sere and brown, Till within a single night Myriad snowflakes whirling down I Wrought a world of virgin white To dazzle morning with the sight. In those days the blood would tingle , To the sleigh-bells' merry jingle 22

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Class Omtion demands courage and ceaseless endeavor. It involves in- convenience, misunderstanding and self sacriflce. But it is the chief element in the citizen's responsibility. Surely courage and effort are no small part of Princeton's lesson. Our training then means that we are responsible in the high- est degree for active, efficient citizenship. To choose, to follow, to lead, this, in short, is our public duty. Doubtless all this seems a material and more or less com- monplace application of academic training. To be sure it is only a limited phase of Princeton's influence. The greater and more subtle influence of these four years upon us can be found only in our own hearts. It cannot be ex- pressed. The spirit, the associations, the fellowship, all the golden glory of our Princeton life, these have but little to do with creeds and responsibilities. Truer manhood, broader understanding, greater powers of appreciation, wider opportunities for individual growth 3 all these Prince- ton-has given us, together with the four happiest sunniest years of our lives. Yet Princeton must stand for some- thing more than individual growth. We are false to our trust if Princeton's influence is felt only within ourselves or in our own intimate circle of life. Our academic fellow- ship must grow into something larger and deeper, a true fellowship of service. Our academic ideals must stand for something more than individual development. They must become dynamic forces. The simple creed which I have been applying to our political relations has a far wider sig- niflcance. It is a creed of service. Adherence to it is the outward expresison of internal growth and power. It makes academic training a potent force. It has a direct ap- plication to our every activity. The more subtle influences of our life here are for our hearts alone to know. But if Princeton has made us wise, sincere and brave she must also have given us the will to strive and to serve. In all our activities wherever our lot may fall, wise judgment, faithful adherence and courageous activity will be demanded of us. To choose, to follow, to lead. To choose wisely, to follow faithfully, to lead bravely. Such is our responsibility as sons of Princeton. 21

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The N aissau Herald VVe, thy weakest sons and latest, Render thee our humble praise: Graciously receive, accept it As a pledge of by-gone days. In the pleasant paths of Learning Thou hast led our wayward feet 5 Delving in the Master-Workers, Thou hast taught us life is sweet, Guided by thy noble servants, Heart to heart, and mind to mind We have struggled, fallen, risen, Seeing where we once were blind. 1 How for this shall thanks be given, Honoured Mother, to thy name? See, thy other sons have brought thee Glorious deeds and well-earned fame. I-Iumbly now we stand before thee- Thou shalt know us by this sign: Lo! we pledge thee love and vigour Of our manhood :-all in all, for we are thine! IV To part from friends in the afternoon of life Were cause for secret tears, for then the ways Lead through the silent, thoughtful groves of twilight, But we part, good comrades, you and I, At the glad hour of sunrise. Now we go To take a larger share as citizens Of the whole earth. Come! Now, we face the world Together. fFriends are true.D Have we not faced Our little college world as men and friends? Have we not played a miniature game of life,- Voting, electing Captains, Presidents, Publishing papers, making rules and laws, Talking in solemn conclave, toiling with Our myriad interests. Now we go to seek A larger field, a greater chance for service: Still we stand together as We stood Before, though greater distances divide Us each from each. 24