ELEGY PICKEDUP IN A COUNTRY SCHOOL-YARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 144, 20 June 1871, Page 4

ELEGY PICKED UP IN A COUNTRY SCHOOL-YARD.

There is a corner of the earth so dear That not one art has ever flourished there ; — There dwell the Dullites— dullest of the dull— With scarce a thought beyond the crops they cull; Till some bright inspiration of the brain Bade dancing come — the kindliest of the train. She of all arts the social graces rears, The manners softens, and the spirit cheers : With friendly intercourse old feuds she stills, With kind amenities the conduct fills. . Clod-hopping boors, in lonely valleys bred. Then learned, at least, the grace of human tread, Forbore the hug and hobble of the be% And caught a decent deference for theMir. Where all was rudeness, see refinemenvreign And cheerful spirits sparkle in her traia. ♦ ♦ * * * * * * But now no more her pleasant court has place, No trim M.C. preserves her smiling rule ; No more the airy waltz lends lyric grace, To the dull precincts of the Spring Grove School I No polka now with perfect rhythm we pace, — Nor thread quadrille's symmetric, mazy clue ; No more Cotillon's flowing turns we trace, Or in swift galop Time himself pursue ! No more the jest that ecatter'd light along, The lusty chorus and the cheerful song. ******** For then rose Bogeydom, with fear alarmed — Then rose sour Bigotry with malice armed Then every purblind gander cackled " Fie ! " And fifteen saints a fatal quill let fly. Their goose-quill, sure, was on their bosom bred, And well their fool's cap fitted — for each head ! But not a shaft so mortal amongst men, Nor turns so on its user — as the Pcn — As idiots scorch themselves who play with fire, Noodles like these in their own ink expire !