[The Complete PG Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.]@TWC D-Link book
The Complete PG Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

CHAPTER XII
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Said he,-- "There is your p'int.

And here's my fee.
These are the terms you must fulfil,-- On such conditions I BREAK THE WILL!" The Governor mentioned what these should be.
(Just wait a minute and then you'll see.) The President prayed.

Then all was still, And the Governor rose and BROKE THE WILL! -- "About those conditions ?" Well, now you go And do as I tell you, and then you'll know.
Once a year, on Commencement-day, If you'll only take the pains to stay, You'll see the President in the CHAIR, Likewise the Governor sitting there.
The President rises; both old and young May hear his speech in a foreign tongue, The meaning whereof, as lawyers swear, Is this: Can I keep this old arm-chair?
And then his Excellency bows, As much as to say that he allows.
The Vice-Gub.

next is called by name; He bows like t'other, which means the same.
And all the officers round 'em bow, As much as to say that THEY allow.
And a lot of parchments about the chair Are handed to witnesses then and there, And then the lawyers hold it clear That the chair is safe for another year.
God bless you, Gentlemen! Learn to give Money to colleges while you live.
Don't be silly and think you'll try To bother the colleges, when you die, With codicil this, and codicil that, That Knowledge may starve while Law grows fat; For there never was pitcher that wouldn't spill, And there's always a flaw in a donkey's will! -- Hospitality is a good deal a matter of latitude, I suspect.

The shade of a palm-tree serves an African for a hut; his dwelling is all door and no walls; everybody can come in.


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