Princeton University - Nassau Herald Yearbook (Princeton, NJ)

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Class Poem What if our chance to serve Seem to us large or small-it matters not! Still shall we struggle bravely as in days gone by We fought for Old Nassau. When each man strives With all his might how sweet were victory, And yet how painless were defeat! l 24 bk is X elf PF bk Knighthood is dead? What saidst thou, friend? Th No need of knighthood in these modern days? Thy very words do prove the need. Are there No wrongs to be redressed, no noble deeds That wait a doer? Is not woman still To be protected? Nay, the world cries out Eagerly, ceaselessly for men-at-arms To fight for Honour, Chivalry and Right. No longer do the crested knights ride forth VVith sword and lance, on gallant chargers borne, But in the city's grime and everywhere, Throughout this labouring world, in hospitals, In law-courts, in the universal church, In governmental ofiices and all The honest business of our varied' life They nght for all the things that make true men And women. You shall know them, not by plumes And swords, but by their knightly deeds and all The gentle attributes of chivalry. This is the mighty world that needs us, friends, CComrades of four sweet yearsj, and shall we then Face it with sadness, ever glancing back In useless longing for the years gone by? Nay, rather let us say farewell with tears Of gratitude, and with the memory Of Princeton deeply burned by Love's clear iiame In every heart, then let us turn and go Into this glorious world, our hearts made glad By noble aspiration and high hopes. V Noble it were in the morning of life ere is CWhen the heart beats full with each deep-drawn breathj To march with banner and bugle and fife In the foremost ranks of a gallant strife To strike for the Right and to die the death! 25

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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

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Class Poem Or the hiss of polished steel As the skater darted by Like a swallow through the sky. Then the fires of love burned bright On the hearthstone of each friend As we whiled away the night Weaving tales that had no end. ,Soon within our hearts we felt, CFaint at first and far awayj, Pulsings of new life that told Of the coming of the May. Then the maples blossomed red, And our hearts rejoicing knew That the promise of the Springtime With its ageless, endless wonder COld as life yet always newj In the meadows, hills, and gardens, Once again had fallen true. Underfoot the grass was green, Overhead the sky was blue, And the birds sang madly, gladly, Till we thrilled with rapture, too. Through the misty nights of April When the stars but dimly shone, In the gladness of May sunshine Sweet with fragrant odours blown From the roses in the garden And the wild-liowers in the grass, We have felt the joy of Springtime Through our very pulses pass. In the mystic hour of twilight, By the ancient ivied wall, We have sung and dreamed and wondered On the steps of Nassau Hall Till our hearts seemed wide as all the world And love was all in all. A III Alma Mater Princeton, hear us, Fair and very fair art thou With the crown of ageless wisdom Resting on thy noble browg 23