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“Antiquam exquisite matrem.”
COLUMBIA College! Alma Mater! well | |
| Do I remember, and the time could tell, | |
| When first escaped from pedagogic rule, | |
| To thee I came fresh from a grammar school | |
| From five long years well stored, at all events, | 5 |
| With English, Greek, and Latin rudiments. | |
| And how I profited thy books can show, | |
| Placed number four, with twenty-eight below. | |
| What change to freedom from tyrannic sway! | |
| No time can chase the pleasing thought away. | 10 |
| No more our minds with six tail’d strap appall’d, | |
| Blockheads no more, but generosi call’d. | |
| And then, at home, our studies to pursue, | |
| ’Twas charming sure, for it was something new! | |
| And now thou view’st us scattered o’er thy green; | 15 |
| Here are the gay, and there the thoughtful seen. | |
| ’Neath spreading trees we either stand or sit, | |
| And on each other exercise our wit; | |
| Or some are conning o’er the task assign’d, | |
| To keep it fresh, when call’d for in their mind. | 20 |
| While some their fellow on swift foot pursue, | |
| With noise and shouting make a vast ado. | |
| But hark! the lecture bell! when all at once | |
| Rush up the stoop, the scholar and the dunce, | |
| Enter the room, in silence take our seats, | 25 |
| Then each vicissim, the word “Here” repeats; | |
| The roll is call’d, the absentees are fined, | |
| Lecture commences, all composed each mind; | |
| Our every eye on the professor darts, | |
| Each ear drinks in the learning he imparts. | 30 |
| But some distrustful of their mem’ry power, | |
| On paper pen the teaching of the hour. | |
| The lecture ended, all rush down the stairs, | |
| And each to his own dwelling place repairs. | |
| Morning and evening found the students all, | 35 |
| For prayers assembled, in the common hall. | |
| Our good old Pres. in pulpit mounted high, | |
| With specks on nose, and on his book each eye, | |
| He reads, while he a cheerful aspect wears, | |
| In solemn tones Episcopalian pray’rs. | 40 |
| On the concluding day of ev’ry week, | |
| Some compositions bring, some pieces speak. | |
| Our intermediate studies to repeat, | |
| To some, no doubt, would prove a grateful treat. | |
| But to remind thee of some things were vain, | 45 |
| So oft transacted o’er and o’er again; | |
| From time almost a century ago, | |
| Thou know’st them all, and part of them I know. | |
| Oh happy College hours! though now ye seem | |
| As but the remnant of a fev’rish dream; | 50 |
| So many sorrows, joys and griefs and fears, | |
| Have filled the lapse of nearly fifty years: . . . . . . . | |
| But let me mention first thy gala day, | |
| When all thy train came marching down Broadway, | |
| It was a show not framed for war or fight, | 55 |
| It peaceful was, a real classic sight. | |
| Freshmen and Sophs, Juniors and Seniors abreast, | |
| Pres., and Professors, Janitor, full dress’d, | |
| In long and flowing gowns of sable hue, | |
| They look’d like Preachers to the admiring view! | 60 |
| Then there arrived, into St. Paul’s they press’d, | |
| And I, thy joyous son, among the rest; | |
| Then up the aisles we pass’d with silent feet, | |
| And each located in his proper seat. | |
| Fill’d was the House of God, below, above | 65 |
| Music—and beauty, beaming looks of love. | |
| The music still’d, and now commence by sign, | |
| Those acts in which each speaker tries to shine; | |
| Speeches in English, some in Latin too, | |
| Salute, farewell, sparkling with wit, span new. | 70 |
| The speaking o’er, th’ assembly wait to see, | |
| Each graduate take his separate degree; | |
| Conferr’d by Pres. in Latin on the whole, | |
| A.B. or A.M. with a parchment roll. | |
| Pray’rs ended, now th’ assembly all retire | 75 |
| To censure some, while some applaud, admire. | |
| Among the A.B.’s ranks thy humble son; | |
| Mother, these acts in ninety-six were done! | |
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