616 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. 



" No," she said, " the time is pressing, 

 So before I give my blessing, 

 I'll excuse you from confessing 



What you thought of me to-night. 



" Powers ! " she cried, with hoarse devotion, 

 " Give my son the clearest notion 

 How to compass sure promotion, 



And take care of Number One. 

 Let his college course be pleasant, 

 Let him ever, as at present, 

 Seem to have read what he hasn't, 



And to do what can't be done. 



" Of the Philosophic Spirit 

 Eichly may my son inherit ; 

 As for Poetry, inter it 



With the myths of other days. 

 " Cut the thing entirely, lest yon 

 College Don should put the question, 

 Why not stick to what you're best on ? 

 Mathematics always pays." 



As the Hag was thus proceeding 

 To prescribe my course of reading, 

 And as I was faintly pleading, 



Hardly knowing what to say, 

 Suddenly, my head inclining 

 I beheld a light form shining ; 

 And the withered beldam, whining, 



Saw the same and slunk away. 



Then the vision, growing brighter, 

 Seemed to make my garret lighter ; 

 As when noisome fogs of night are 



Scattered by the rising sun. 

 Nearer still it grew and nearer, 

 Till my straining eyes caught clearer 

 Glimpses of a being dearer, 



Dearer still than Number One. 



