Springfield College - Massasoit Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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CLASS OF 1908 True courtesy and chivalry combined Will make you well beloved of mankind; And courtly manners often win a fight That would be lost if only fought with might. “My boy, though tempted you may sometimes be To leave your principles for policy, Yield not, hut always keep your purpose true; Respect and honor then will come to you, For honesty is justly more admired Than policy, though in success attired. At times, you’ll long to lay aside your sword For riches, power, or some such reward. They sorrow bring, and are not worth the cost, If for their price, my lad, your honor’s lost. Your best reward in service you will find; It is an honor great to serve mankind, And honest joy comes but to those who work; So go straight on, and duty never shirk. Where’er your banner’s to the breeze unfurled, It stands for love and service to the world. Fight hard you must if you would win your race; Stagnation conies to those who slacken pace. “The common things you’ll daily have to face Will blast your ideas sadly out of place; But do not set your standard lower down 2 7 If you your efforts with success would crown. A high ideal, though never quite attained, Is better far than one easily gained; For, reaching it, you’re tempted to remain, Instead of striving greater heights to gain. No man e’er did the worse for aiming high, Though many fail by setting goals too nigh. “Go forth, my son. Our greatest joy in life Is to bear bravely our part in its strife; To fight the wrong, howe’er attractive made; To aid the right, wherever ’tis displayed; To guide the lost ones to the homeward road, Strengthen the weak, lighten the heavy load. Lift up the fallen, shed in darkness light, Serve God and man with our God-given might; And as we climb with vigor every day, To help mankind along the upward way; That at life’s close, when we have done our best, And lay aside our arms to take our rest, All men will say, and hold our memory dear, ‘The world is better for his living here.’” With such ideals, the youth, leaving the sage, Did noble service in his knightly age, And for the good that he accomplished then, Won life immortal in the hearts of men.

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26 The In olden time, when knighthood had its day, An ancient armorer, whose head was gray, Whose face was wrinkled, and whose form was bent, Who’d wrought in honor, and was well content With life, as he had fought for right and truth, Was giving farewell counsel to a youth. The lad was strong and eager tor the fray; And, after training well, was on his way To seek adventure far abroad, and fight To prove his worth to wear the name of knight. The old man armed the youth from head to heel, In burnished armor of well-proven steel. Gave hint an ashen lance, and sword well wrought. And last, a charger strong and nobly taught. Now, as his hand in farewell grasp he pressed, His eye grew light, and all his mien confessed rhe pride he felt in this his pupil dear, W hose skill and strength he ' d watched o’er many a year. “My son, he said, “at last has come the day We both have longed for, and you’re on your way To win your knightly belt and spurs of gold; l ake words of counsel, then, from one who’s old. I’ve tested you. lad, like a well-forged blade. And of your strength and skill I’m not afraid. THE MASSASOIT You’re eager now to get into the fray; Too soon you’ll find it’s work you seek, not play. Do not lose heart. For many men you’ll find W ho haven’t your equipment of the mind, Who know not all the latest tricks of fence; Do not despise them. They’ve experience Which helps them use their strength to win a fight From many a younger and a subtler knight. Tis from such men as these that you can learn To strike with skill, and hard blows, off to turn. Each one, perhaps, some favorite trick may know, And, learning it, you will more skilful grow. “Sometimes you’ll hear men tell what they can do. I’d silence keep then, lad, if I were you; For, when a youth, I got in many a scrape By talking, and was lucky to escape. You’ll prove your manhood best by keeping still, Although I own ’twill sorely tax your will. ’Tis folly when young men begin to boast; The modest men are those who do the most; The strongest men most often silence keep. Still runs the water where the stream is deep. You are in training for a perfect knight; A true one always keeps his armor bright.

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28 y.W. THE MASSASOIT James Wheeler Bailey, B . A . . Jerry City, Ohio “Bill” Findlay Prep., Findlay College, Secretary Student Y. M. C. A., Findlay; Varsity Rugby, and Soccer Football, Baseball, and Basketball Teams, Class Track Team, School Quartette, ’07; Assistant Editor Massasoit; A k A. “ And oft, the pangs of absence to remove, By letters: soft interpreters of love. ' ' — Prior “Bill” is the classic appellation by which this individual is known. Bill is part of the great triumvirate, Miller, Rice Bailey, who conduct a regular Correspondence School on the first floor, and every vacation take the first train home and the last one back. “Bill” made a name for himself as “light-end” on the football team, distinguished himself in basketball, and also enjoys the confidence of the Class as evidenced by his election to the Assistant Editorship of the Massasoit. When his hunger and thirst after knowledge begin to approximate his gastro- nomic appetite, “Bill” will leave us all behind. I ' d give an ything to be in Findlay tonight .”