X. Y. Z.,  “Parody”

Should you ask me whence these verses, Whence these stories and traditions, With so little sense about them, With so little rhythm in them, With so many imperfections, And their frequent repetitions, As of one unskilled in writing; I should answer, I should tell you, From the grand old seat of knowledge, From the place prepared for pupils, From the graded school of Stewartsville, From the Stewartsville High School Building; Where the pupils go at morning, Go with books and basket also, Where they live and toil and suffer, That they there may learn their lessons, That they may advance in knowledge, Far and wide among the nations, Spread the name and fame of Stewartsville. 'Twas a morning bright in Autumn, In the golden days of Autumn, Very cool and still the air was, Insects glistened in the sunshine, Down the sidewalk came the children, Straight into the open doorway, Passed into the rooms so pleasant, And each one a seat selected. And among them three bright pupils, With a word of salutation, With a sign of recognition, Passed into the upper hallway, And into the farthest class room. "Whitmore" was the name they called one, And her given name was "Edna." Bright she was, and full of mischief; But her voice was low and tender, Like the falling of the waters, Like the babbling of the brooklet. "Mattie Hawman" was another, She with locks that black as jet are, She with eyes serene and tender, Always merry, always happy, Ever mindful of her duty. All her lessons well preparing. As is oft the case in Autumn, "Snow" came gently, gently tripping. She a tall and slender maiden, She possessing many virtues, Of her loveliness we tell, She the gentle, loving "Nell." Many days they talked together, Questioned, listened, waited, answered, Learned the History and Latin, And the Mathematics also. Thus they worked and toiled together Through the chilly wintry weather. In the first warm days of Springtime, When the robins were returning, When the brooks were overflowing, When the grass was growing greener. Came a young man from the far West, Came to join the worthy scholars, "Small" he was, but well beloved, And by name they called him "William" For his very strength made noted, For his strength allied to goodness. Then they worked for many days more, Reaching thus that place of honor, Where the School Board soon presented Each of these with a Diploma. These, the graduates of Stewartsville, These, the Class of 1908 were. And for centuries stood this High School, Stood this same old painted building, Stood against the storms of winter, Stood against the heat of summer, Stood a monument to knowledge, Stood a monument to courage, As unto the day the sun is, As unto the night the moon is, So this High School is to Stewartsville.