The Graduates

I saw them beautiful, in fair array upon Commencement Day;     Lissome and lovely, radiant and sweet     As cultured roses, brought to their estate     By careful training.    Finished and complete     (As teachers calculate).     They passed in maiden grace along the aisle,     Leaving the chaste white sunlight of a smile     Upon the gazing throng.     Musing I thought upon their place as mothers of the race.     Oh there are many actors who can play     Greatly, great parts; but rare indeed the soul     Who can be great when cast for some small role;     Yet that is what the world most needs; big hearts     That will shine forth and glorify poor parts     In this strange drama, Life!    Do they,     Who in full dress-rehearsal pass to-day     Before admiring eyes, hold in their store     Those fine high principles which keep old Earth     From being only earth; and make men more     Than just mere men?    How will they prove their worth     Of years of study?    Will they walk abroad     Decked with the plumage of dead bards of God,     The glorious birds?    And shall the lamb unborn     Be slain on altars of their vanity?     To some frail sister who has missed the way     Will they give Christ's compassion, or man's scorn;     And will clean manhood, linked with honest love,     The victor prove,     When riches, gained by greed, dispute the claim?     Will they guard well a husband's home and name.     Or lean down from their altitudes to hear     The voice of flattery speak in the ear     Those lying platitudes which men repeat     To listening Self-Conceit?     Musing I thought upon their place as mothers of the race,     As beautiful they passed in maiden grace.