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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A B C, by ELIZA COOK Poet's Biography First Line: Oh, thou alpha beta row Last Line: Can only spring from a b c. Subject(s): Alphabets | |||
Oh, thou Alpha Beta row, Fun and freedom's earliest foe, Shall I e'er forget the primer, Thumb'd beside some Mrs. Trimmer, -- While mighty problem held me fast, To know if Z was first or last? And all Pandora had for me Was emptied forth in A B C. Teasing things of toil and trouble, Fount of many a rolling bubble, How I strived, with pouting pain, To get thee quartered on my brain; But when the giant feat was done, How nobly wide the field I'd won! Wit, reason, wisdom, all might be Enjoyed through simple A B C. Steps that lead to topmost height Of worldly fame and human might, Ye win the orator's renown, The poet's bays, the scholar's gown; Philosophers must bend and say 'Twas ye who oped their glorious way. Sage, statesman, critic, where is he Who's not obliged to A B C? Ye really ought to be exempt From slighting taunt and cool contempt; But drinking deep from learning's cup, We scorn the hand that filled it up. Be courteous, pedants -- stay and thank Your servants of the Roman rank, For F. R. S. and LL. D. Can only spring from A B C. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DISAPPEARING ALPHABET by RICHARD WILBUR A WAYSIDE CROSS by THOMAS SAMUEL JONES JR. Y IS FOR YARN by WILLIAM JAY SMITH W IS FOR WELL by WILLIAM JAY SMITH ALPHABET OF MOTHER LANGUAGE by ANNE WALDMAN WHERE BROKEN (THE DARKNESS by LIZ WALDNER COCKNEY ENIGMA ON THE LETTER H by HORACE MAYHEW |
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