Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.

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    I.

    (Feb. 23, 1869.)

    Fair Harvard, dear guide of our youth's golden days;
    At thy name all our hearts own a thrill,
    We turn from life's .highways, its business, its cares,
    We are boys in thy tutelage still.
    And the warm blood of youth to our veins, as of yore,
    Returns with impetuous flow,
    Reviving the scenes and the hopes that were ours
    In the vanished, but sweet Long Ago.

    Once more through thy walks, Alma Mater, we tread,
    And we dream youth's fair dreams once again,
    We are heroes in fight for the Just and the Right,
    We are knights without fear, without stain;
    Its doors in fair prospect the world opens wide,
    Its prizes seem easy to win,--
    We are strong in our faith, we are bold in our might,
    And we long for the race to begin.

    Though dimmed are our hopes, and our visions are fled,
    Our dreams were but dreams, it is true;
    Dust-stained from the contest we gather to-night,
    The sweet dreams of youth to renew.
    Enough for to-morrow the cares it shall bring,
    We are boys, we are brothers, to-night;
    And our hearts, warm with love, Alma Mater, to thee,
    Shall in loyal devotion unite.




    II.

    (Feb. 11, 1870.)

    As we meet in thy name, Alma Mater, to-night,
    All our hearts and our hopes are as one,
    And love for the mother that nurtured his youth
    Beats high in the breast of each son.
    The sweet chords of Memory bridge o'er the Past,
    The years fade away like a dream,
    By the banks of Cephissus, beneath the green trees,
    We tread thy fair walks, Academe.

    The heights of Hymettus that bound the near view
    Fill the air with an odor as sweet
    As the beautiful clusters of sun-tinted grapes
    From the vineyards that lie at our feet.
    O realm of enchantment, O Wonderful land,
    Where the gods hold high converse with men,
    Come out from the dusk of past ages once more,
    And live in our fancy again.

    Let us drink to the Past as our glasses we lift,
    Let eye speak to eye, heart to heart,
    Let the bonds of sweet fellowship bind each to each,
    In the hours that remain ere we part.
    And thou, Alma Mater, grown fairer with age,
    Let us echo the blessing that fell
    From thy motherly lips, as we stood at thy side,
    And thou bad'st us God-speed and Farewell.




    III.

    (Feb. 21, 1872.)

    Fair Harvard, the months have accomplished their round
    And a year stands full-orbed and complete,
    Since last at thy summons, with dutiful hearts,
    Thy children sat here at thy feet.
    Since last in thy presence, grown youthful once more,
    We drank to the past and its joys,
    Shaking off every care that encumbered our years,
    And dreamed that again we were boys.

    To-night once again in thy presence we meet
    In the freshness and flush of life's spring;
    We wait but thy blessing, we ask but thy smile,
    As our sails to the free air we fling.
    The winds breathe auspicious that waft us along,
    The sky, undisturbed, smiles serene,
    Hope stands at the prow, and the waters gleam bright
    With sparkles of silvery sheen.

    And thy voice, Alma Mater, so potent and sweet,
    Still sounds in our ears as of yore,
    And thy motherly counsel we hear, wisdom-fraught,
    As we push our frail barks from the shore.
    From the foam-crested waves of the mountainous sea
    As backward our glances we strain,
    We see the dear face of our mother benign,
    And bless her again and again.




    IV.

    (Feb. 21, 1873.)

    There's a fountain of Fable whose magical power
    Time's ravages all could repair,
    And replace the bowed form and the tottering step,
    The wrinkles and silvery hair,
    By the brown flowing locks and the graces of youth,
    Its footstep elastic and light,
    Could mantle the cheek with its long-vanished bloom
    And make the dull eye keen and bright.

    'Tis only a fable--a beautiful dream,
    But the fable, the dream, shall come true,
    As thy sons, Alma Mater, assemble to-night
    The joys of past years to renew.
    Our eyes shall grow bright with their old wonted light,
    Our spirits untrammelled by care,
    And the Goddess of Hope, with her fresh rainbow tints,
    Shall paint every prospect more fair.

    How sweet were the friendships we formed in thy halls!
    How strong were the tendrils that bound
    Our hearts to the mother whose provident care
    Encompassed her children around!
    Now strong in our manhood we cherish her still;
    And if by misfortune brought low,
    Our strength shall support her, our arms bear her up,
    And sustain her through weal and through woe.

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is an ode to the poet's alma mater, Harvard, and reflects an affectionate and nostalgic view of his time there. The poem is structured in four parts, each dated a year apart, which suggests a progression of time and an ongoing relationship with the university. Themes of youth, education, nostalgia and camaraderie are prevalent throughout the poem.

The tone is reflective and reverent, with the poet consistently addressing the university as "Alma Mater" and praising its influence. The use of phrases like "we are boys in thy tutelage still" and "the sweet dreams of youth to renew" highlight a yearning for the past and for the simplicity and hopefulness of youth. These nostalgic sentiments are juxtaposed with the realities of adulthood, as the poet acknowledges the challenges and cares of life beyond the university's walls.

The poem is rich in imagery and metaphors. The poet's reminiscences are framed in terms of heroic battles ("we are heroes in fight for the Just and the Right"), idyllic pastoral scenes ("beneath the green trees"), and voyages at sea ("As our sails to the free air we fling"). This poetic language elevates the university experience into a mythical, romantic realm.

Overall, the poem is a heartfelt tribute to the transformative power of education and the enduring bond between a student and his university. It captures the universal experience of looking back fondly on one's formative years, while also acknowledging the inevitable passage of time.