VALEDICTION. 79 



VALEDICTION. 



Lauea ! now the bard has ended 

 These his manifold descriptions, 

 With their frequent repetitions. 

 To thy youthful mind so needful ; 

 Let him give a word, at parting, 

 Of parental admonition. 



First, in ardently pm-suing 

 This our fascinating science, 

 Let thy mind be bent on learning, 

 Ever bent on simply learning ; 

 For it is alone to students, 

 True and ardent, are laid open 

 Nature's deeply hidden secrets ; 

 And if we discover nothinsf 

 That has not been seen by others, 

 Still, at least, the gift of learning 

 Will be strengthened as we use it. 

 If we wish to pause in learning. 

 And believe ovu- knowledge perfect, 

 We at once erect a floodgate. 

 That shuts out from all the future 



