﻿THE SCHOOL MISTRESS. 



The School Mistress. 



15 



SOME years ago, one of my friends furnished me with a parcel of 

 manuscripts of which I made a book. Among them was an address 

 to her, who first " taught his young ideas how to shoot," or if she 

 was not the very first, she was, at any rate, the first who undertook 

 it in the school-house. I have read it many times, and delight to 

 read it. It almost enables me to live my childish days over again. 

 It brings fresh to mind my venerable teacher, her kindness, her laws 

 of love and justice, and the penalty which I sometimes justly under- 

 went. I love to think of this last, only because I trust it made me a 

 better boy and a better man. But here is the address. Read it. 

 If you never saw anything of the kind, ask your grandfather if he 

 has not. 



And thou, the Mistress of our little school, 



For age revered, and wisely skilled to rule, 



From whom our minds their infant knowledge drew, 



As flowers from vernal skies imbibe the dew, 



Though many years have passed since then, art not 



By all thy little company forgot ; 



Still on our hearts thy virtues have a claim, 



Still dwells upon our tongues thine honored name. 



When we began, in learned order set 



With eye and finger on the alphabet, 



The task, (a mighty task it seemed to be,) 



To search the mysteries of A, B, C, 



We heard the changeless law, that not a lootc 



Should leave the pages of the spelling book; 



That none the seat assigned him should forsake ; 



That none with whispers should the silence break ; 



Nor was it last or smallest in the code, 



Which ruled the realm of learning's young abode, 



That none should turn his luckless head awry, 



To watch a spider, or impound a fly. 



Enthroned upon her ancient elbow chair, 

 She swayed her sceptre, and dispensed her care ; 

 She praised the boy, whose time was rightly spent, 

 But woe to him on whom her frown was bent ; 

 Who dared her awful word to disobey, 



