IF there is a vile, pernicious, Wicked and degraded rule, Tending to debase the vicious, And corrupt the harmless fool; If there is a hateful habit Making man a senseless tool, With the feelings of a rabbit And the wisdom of a mule; It's the rule which inculcates, It's the habit which dictates The wrong and sinful practice of going into school. If there's anything improving To an erring sinner's state, Which is useful in removing All the ills of human fate; If there's any glorious custom Which our faults can dissipate, And can casually thrust 'em Out of sight and make us great; It's the plan by which we shirk Half our matu-ti-nal work, The glorious institution of always being late. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RECESSIONAL by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 8 by EZRA POUND GOLDWING MOTH by CARL SANDBURG A CORN SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR CACOETHES SCRIBENDI by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES MOTHER TO SON by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES |