The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-06-20
Original poetrg.
PARTING ODE
OF the Class Of IA, Western Maryland College

OF the Class OF f4I western diJ'd"u NV"e6'
Pend n, ne Gas. D1y Errcise,, Tae-iay Joc fs 1874
coNroSEp BY JAMES H. pIFFENBAueH
Mid our songs and our mirth, overwaten ofpleasufc
So smoothly, 40 freely our gay boat has flown,
rhot unconscious Of motion wethought not to meas
urc
The Year, as theg passed rs by, hurrying on,
But we're reused rrom our dreamy existence to pom
der,
How it is that the months with light wings 1y SC
fast:
And We start with sigh of ncredulous wonder.
To think that but two days are len Of The last
More swiftly each moment the current is flowing,
And before US there opens prospect so wde
O Father protect our young hearts 80 unknowlng,
out out on the ocean of life now we glide,
some paths though forbidden may prove too alluring
Its clouds may be heavy, It's storms may he Wild
Down IN each one comes softly the answer assuring
My grace Is sufficient for thee, o my child"
My classmates, my classmates, what novel emotions,
FIJI our hearts at this time Of reflection gravel
when we feel from the shrine ofour hearts best dc
yotons
Soon wen miss the kind hands that in safety have
led u.s.
Through our four years course over schools calm
placid bay,
Soon wen miss the loved voice Of each tutor who fed
us,
on we'll seasoned food for our minds day by day
And all our dear friends in the Glasses below us.
at.f, al rfyI,
WIN not in the places we've filed. again know US
When in the cool autumn IN school they return.
No more then, In Campus or Chapel they'll meet Us,
No more viii their presence our moments bcguilc;
No longer in social delights will they greet us,
Or welcome our coming with loves sunny smile
we may see them his true. in our dreams and may
bless them,
And Fancy may paint for us each gay scene
but when we awaken In joy to cares them,
Dim distance and duties will still intervene.
We must leave them to toll up tho hill thnt looms
DER them,
Til they gain the far top where the view Is more
bright;
And We hope We have len an example before them,
That will urge them still upward through cares
darkest night.
A long farewell, too to our kind hearted Steward
And to our fair Mairon, his lady like wife,
Who have strivcn, ut times, we have feared almost
too har,l,
To supply all our want- with the comforts Of life.
We mustlcayc ercry scene In which we've delighted
The Society Halls where our eloqucnce rlng
The blessed old Chapel where for years we've united.
In the prayers that were offered, the prnisc thnt
was sung,
And these widcsprvading trccs IN whose cool shad.
ows lying,
We've talked Of the future. the present the past;
Far away will we be when their yerdure IS dying
or lcaness they sigh with the fierce wintry blast.
hut saddest Of all-icar brewing rclection--
We ourselves, who have dwelt In relations free.
United so long by the warinest affection
Must be parted nj nsttis ia,cs changrlcs, decree.
oh never before did we realize wholly
How sweet was our union. how firm were Gus ties!
Thus always the sweeitcss Of pleasure SO slowly
Comes forth that know not It's worth TIL It dies.
But then our parting Is not alone gricy0us,
And not only snd feelings have we to tell
For though, thai the things We have loved should
now leave u,
Is painnl there's pleasure in parting as welt.
Though We leave friends behind Us we hasten to
others
Who arr anxiously waiting their dear ones to see
From schoolmntes We 90 10 our fathers and mother
And they are far dcarrr than schoolmntcs can be-
Then too, our class fellowship viii not be ended;
our meetings will only be further apart
Though distant In body our souls viii he blended;
Let this truth be cheering to each dropping heart
And wherever We roan mid the worlds Wild com.
motion,
This thought shall urwcll In the wilderness prove
That we here have haven nom lifes stormy ocean,
So safe that no breath Of care DER IL can move.
II Hope In the future, with gllstcning finger
shall point US 10 fame which she tells Us wen fnd
still fully and fondly will Memory lnger
Ger the fruits In the garden were leaving behind.
And year after year, when We gladly assemble
Al this home Of our minds on each coming Glass
Day;
When the roll call Of members the air remble
Let no one be absent, our Father, we pray
And in that last time when the roll call Of Heaven
shall ring through the arches Of Heavens high
DOME
Let the joyful knowledge TO each one be given,
That the Class Is united and safe safe at home!
So when with streaming eyes the last farewell is
spoken,
Down deep in our hearts let II mutcly be said.--
We'rea band that's unclasped, but forever unbroken
Through all coming years, be We living or dead.