James McCosh

Young to the end through sympathy with youth, Gray man of learning,—champion of truth! Direct in rugged speech, alert in mind, He felt his kinship with all humankind, And never feared to trace development Of high from low,—assured and full content That man paid homage to the Mind above, Uplifted by the “Royal Law of Love.” The laws of nature that he loved to trace Have worked, at last, to veil from us his face; The dear old elms and ivy-covered walls Will miss his presence, and the stately halls His trumpet voice. And in their joys Sorrow will shadow those he called “my boys”!

Collection: 
1864

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