West High School - Senior Occident Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Build your foundation firm at first, for well Ye know the fairest building will not stand If its foundation is not sure. And this Ye had best build of granite hard and fast— The granite of sincerity. Upon This build of marble all the way— The marble of self-poise. As I have taught Ye, build; your pattern choose; but these at least Be sure are scattered in profusion thick, But each one firmly set with utmost care: The pearl of greatest price—that ye must have. The precious pearl of loyal constancy; The opal with its hope and cheerfulness And faith; the diamond of purity; The garnet with its warmth of love and trust. Just here I felt a something soft and warm Brush up against my hand, and looking round I found a squirrel with boldness sitting up And gazing with surprise upon my face. When I again looked back, alas! the youths And maidens all were gone and I was ’ware Of swiftly coming darkness. Then the squirrel Took fright and scampered off, and I arose And for a moment gazed at where but now There had appeared to be a thoughtful throng. Returning home, I passed along the path And pondered on the meaning of my dream. Then suddenly it flashed upon my mind. O our beloved Alma Mater, thou The Masterbuilder who hast taught us, all These four long—nay these four short fleeting years, Has this, thy earnest teaching, been in vain? Shall we not build our lives as thou hast taught? Thou hast held up the lives of men that were As perfect as mere mortal men can be, And yet shall we not follow in their way? Oh, classmates, let us build the way that’s best! If we build thus the structure beautiful will be. Moreover, these are buildings all may build. And let us thus bring honor to West High— The Alma Mater that we love so well. [ 12 ] MARY T. ROWND.

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And nearer grew the sound and nearer still Until the woodland rang with happy song Of many voices blended, and the whole Was mingled with the laughter and the shouts Of what would seem a multitude. As when The sun behind a darkling sky, at first Sends out a creeping ray with caution, slow; And then another beam steals out and joins The first; and then a third with courage gained By the success of other two, and bold Beyond the others, now glides out; and then Great shafts shoot out, and all at once the sky Bursts forth in light—so burst this joyful song Upon my ear. And from behind a group Of thick-branched brush, there came a crowd of youth And maidens fair, with sprightly step, and all Their faces full of joy, and free from care. And in their midst with dignity there moved A kind-faced man, who looked upon them all With yearning eyes which almost seemed to speak And utter forth a wish felt in his heart. And when they reached the spot near which I lay. They stopped and gathered everyone about Their elder and their friend. Then I perceived That in his hand he bore a chisel bright, And on its handle gilded, was this word— “Masterbuilder. And when they gathered •’round And sat upon the green, each one his eyes Upon the master turned and silence reigned. “My children,”—O the voice of him who spoke! It rose and fell upon the quiet air With cadence beautiful. A voice which seemed To mingle joy and sorrow into one. And such a one as makes the hearer trust 'Fhe man beyond the sound. And there they sat Enfolded by the quiet eventide And listened while he spoke to them. “My children well beloved, ’tis thus we meet Once more, but this will be the last of all. To-day, ye leave this life and pass beyond My care. At this last time would I, in brief, Review the teachings, I have given ye. For years in deeds and illustrations, now In words. O bear them well in mind, for ve Will need them daily in your coming life: C n 3

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