 NCE on a time—I won’t say when, But long before I used a pen!— The letters of the Alphabet Began with one accord to fret, Their tasks disdained, declared for play, And boldly claimed a holiday. Said O,—the spokesman, it appears,— “We ’ve worked for years and years and years, Since long before the printing-press Made all our labors more, not less. Some old Phenician, so they say, First sent us on our arduous way; And ever since that fateful day We ’ve been the most obedient crew!— Done just what we were told to do, Worked overtime, by day, by night, By sun- and gas- and candle-light, At beck and call of every wight Who chose to read or spell or write! Through all the centuries marching down, For others we have won renown, Nor broken ranks, nor—heed it well!— From spelling had one breathing-spell! With all the world it is not thus! Why then, my friends, this fate for us? |
The very comet, high in space, Is free sometimes to run a race; The week-days have their Sunday out; The seasons too, beyond a doubt, Their regular vacations take, The dull routine of work to break. We only— Comrades, are we slaves! Shall we submit to scribbling knaves! Or shall we, scornful, rise” (a cheer, And cries of “Bravo!” and “Hear, hear!”). “Declare to law and order ‘Bah!’ And ‘Freedom!’ shout! ‘Hip, hip, hurrah!’ ” |
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