Classic Poem

That night the town turned out and crammed the hall.
And I, perhaps maliciously, made one
To hear the lecture: I, who went to none,
And an old friend with me, who went to all.
But vain it were that thesis to recall,
A rant of phrase and metaphor blundered through
And meaning not or how, when ended quite
And poetry had closed what prayer begun,
Strong men were touched to tears and bright lips grew
Breathless with praise. But my companion
Spoke not, or spoke with satire grave and arch:
“We scarce had had such learning and such light
Since he, the Yankee schoolmaster, last March
Came from Nine Partners to Illyria down.”