Old Cambridge

And can it be you've found a place Within this consecrated space, Which makes so fine a show, For one of Rip Van Winkle's race? And is it really so? Who wants an old, receipted bill? Who fishes in the frog-pond still? Who digs last year's potato-hill? That's what he'd like to know!

And were it any spot on earth Save this dear home that gave him birth, Some scores of years ago, He had not come to spoil your mirth And chill your festive glow; But round his baby-nest he strays, With tearful eye the scene surveys, His heart unchanged by changing days; That's what he'd have you know.

Can you, whose eyes not yet are dim, Live o'er the buried past, with him, And see the roses blow When white-haired men were Joe and Jim, Untouched by winter's snow? Or roll the years back, one by one, As Judah's monarch backed the sun, And see the century just begun? That's what he'd like to know!

I came but as the swallow dips, Just touching with her feather-tips The shining wave below, To sit with pleasure-murmuring lips, And listen to the flow Of Elmwood's sparkling Hippocrene,-- To tread once more my native green, To sigh unheard, to smile unseen,-- That's what I'd have you know.

But since the common lot I've shared (We all are sitting "unprepared"  Like culprits in a row, Whose heads are down, whose necks are bared   To wait the headsman's blow), I'd like to shift my task to you, By asking just a thing or two About the good old times I knew: Here's what I want to know:

The yellow meet'n-house -- can you tell Just where it stood before it fell Prey of the levelling foe?-- Our dear old temple, loved so well, By ruthless hands laid low. Where, tell me, was the Deacon's pew? Whose hair was braided in a queue? (For there were pig-tails not a few)-- That's what I'd like to know.

The bell -- can you recall its clang? And how the seats would slam and bang? The viol and its bow? The basso's trump before he sang? And sweet-voiced Nat Munroe? Where was it old Judge Winthrop sat? Who wore the last three-cornered hat? Was Israel Porter lean or fat? That's what I'd like to know.

Tell where the market used to be That stood beside the murdered tree? Whose dog to church would go? Old Marcus Reemie, who was he? Who were the brothers Snow? Does not your memory slightly fail About that great September gale Whereof one told a moving tale?-- As Cambridge boys should know.

When Cambridge was a simple town, Say just where Deacon William Brown, (Look round in yonder row,) For honest silver counted down His groceries would bestow?-- For those were days when money meant Something that jingled as you went,-- No hybrid like the nickel cent, I'd have you all to know;

But quarter, ninepence, pistareen, And fourpence ha'pennies in between, All metal fit to show, Instead of rags in stagnant green, The scum of debts we owe. How sad to think such stuff should be Our Wendell's cure-all remedy,-- Not Wendell H., but Wendell P.,-- The one you all must know!

I question -- but you answer not -- Dear me! and have I quit forgot How five score years ago, Just on this very blessed spot, The summer leaves below, Before his homespun ranks arrayed, In green New England's elm-bough shade The great Virginian drew the blade King George full soon should know!

O George the third! you found it true Our George was more than double you, For nature made him so. Not much a jewelled cap can do  If brains are scant and slow. Ah, not like that his laurel crown Whose present gilded with renown Our brave old Academic town, As all her children know!

To-day we meet with loud acclaim To tell mankind that here he came, With hearts that throb and glow; Ours is a portion of his fame, Our trumpets needs must blow! On yonder hill the Lion fell, But here was chipped the Eagle's shell,-- That little hatchet did it well, We mean the world should know!