DAME CRAIGIE 355 
The monarchs of generations 
Have died into dust away ; 
O reed that outlivest nations, 
Be our symbol of strength to-day! 
DAME CRAIGIE 
{Lines read at the. Longfellow Memorial Reading, Cambridge, 
February 27, 1888.] 
In childish Cambridge days, now long ago, 
When pacing schoolward in the morning 
hours, 
I passed the stately homes of Tory Row 
And paused to see Dame Craigie tend her 
flowers. 
Framed. in the elm-tree boughs before | her 
door 
The old escutcheon of our town was seen, — 
Canker-worms pendent, yellowing leaves in o7, 
School-boys vegardant, on a field grass-green. 
Dame Craigie, with Spinoza in her hand, 
Was once heard murmuring to the insect 
crew, 
“T will not harm you, little restless band! 
For what are mortal men but worms, like 
you?” 
