'I shall not pass ..'
This poem/essay was printed periodically in the Illini Daily, the student newspaper of the University of Illinois - e.g., here
'I shall not pass ..'
This poem/essay was printed periodically in the Illini Daily, the student newspaper of the University of Illinois - e.g., here
And it came to pass,
Early in the morning toward the last
day of the semester,
There arose a great multitude smiting
the books and wailing.
And there was much weeping and
gnashing of teeth,
For the day of judgment was at hand.
And they were sore afraid, for they
had left undone
Those things which they ought to
have done,
And they had done
Those things which they ought not
to have done
And there was no help for it.
And there were many abiding in the dorm
Who had kept watch over their books
by night,
But it availed them naught.
But some there were who rose peacefully,
For they had prepared themselves
the way
And made straight paths of knowledge.
And these were known
As wise burners of the midnight oil.
And to others they were known as
"curve raisers."
And the multitude arose
And ate a hearty breakfast.
And they came into the appointed place
And their hearts were heavy within them.
And they had come to pass,
But some to pass out.
And some of them
Repented of their riotous living and
bemoaned their fate,
But they had not a prayer.
And at the last hour there came among them '
One known as the instructor; arid
they feared exceedingly.
He was of the diabolical smile,
And passed papers among them and went his way.
And many and varied
Were the answers that were given,
For some of his teachings had fallen
among fertile minds.
Others had fallen among the fallows,
While others had fallen flat.
And some there were who wrote for one hour,
Others for two;
But some turned away sorrowful,
and many of these
Offered up a little bull
In hopes of pacifying the instructor.
And these were the ones who had
not a prayer.
And when they finished,
They gathered up their belongings
And went their way quietly, each in
his own direction,
And each one vowing unto himself
in this manner:
"I shall not pass this way again."
Author unknown