The Argosy — page 173: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

160 | SCHOOL BOYS. Five merry boys, right earnest boys, played round the school-yard tree And each one boasted, in his turn, what a great man he’d be. A proud dark youth, of stalwart growth, with crisp and raven hair, Said he would live upon the sea, where all his kinsmen were. He loved to hear the angry deep lash the sharp rocks and roar, He loved to see the waters sleep, when the great storm was o’er. ‘‘Ha, ha!” rang out a haughty laugh, ‘‘ what care I for the sea ? It is a wild and heedless life, a statesman I shall be: ‘*T mean to make the world wake up, you'll see I'll plot and plan, I know there’s something to be done, worthy a mighty man!” ‘‘ Well, give me gold and merchandise,” a fair-haired urchin said, With fingers clenched, and eager eyes strained on the Western red; ‘Tl strive and toil while others dream a lazy life away: You'll see, my boys, what wealth can do, to buy and build some day.’ ‘¢T’ll be a poet,” said a boy, with meek and quiet tone; ‘‘T’]] write and sing creation’s praise, and always live alone: ‘I don’t care for the busy world, it has no soul, no heart; And in its paltry joys or woes you're called to bear a part.”’ “No heart, no soul!” a lad exclaimed: ‘ well now, to speak my mind, There’s nought but self in any man who cares not for his kind. ‘‘ You may go forth upon the sea, and like a wild bird roam: Before I make for foreign lands, I’ll learn to look at home. ‘“*‘ Beware oppression’s iron heel, if you’re for statesman’s fame, And don’t let might usurp o’er right, but keep an honest name. ‘* You may all plot, and strive, and toil, with many a mighty plan; But he’s the best and noblest here who helps his fellow man. **In Gop’s right hand there is a cup of rich and ruby wine; He poureth out, and best can tell if ‘twill be yours or mine. ‘“* So never brag—promotion comes nor South, nor East, nor West ; Let’s work in wisdom’s narrow path, and trust Gop for the rest.” Gomichbooksco