Classic Poem

Society sat musing, very sad,
Upon her people's conduct, which was bad
Said she, “I can't imagine why they sin,
With all the education I put in!
For instance, why so many maimed and sick
After their schooling in arithmetic?
Why should they cheat each other beyond telling
When they were so well grounded in good spelling?
They learned geography by land and tribe,
And yet my statesmen can't refuse a bribe!
Ought not a thorough knowledge of old Greek
To lead to that wide peace the nations seek?
And grammar! With their grammar understood
Why should they still shed one another's blood?
Then, lest these ounces of prevention fail,
I've pounds and tons of cure—of no avail.
I punish terribly, and I have cause,
When they so sin against my righteous laws.”

“Of grammar?” I enquired She look perplexed
“For errors in their spelling?” She grew vexed
“Failure in mathematics?” “You young fool!”
She said, “The law don't meddle with the school
I teach with care and cost, but never ask
What conduct follows from the early task.
My punishment, for all the law's wide reach,
Is in the lines I don't pretend to teach.”

I meditated. Does one plant him corn—
Then weep because no oranges are born?