Gazing, listless, from his book
Doth the scholar outward look,
Through the window, far away,
At the close of summer day.

Objects bright and fair he sees,
Feels the cool, refreshing breeze;
Which doth from the meadow blow,
Bending all its surface low.

Sees the rocky hills so steep,
Where he longs to climb and leap;
Hears the songs of birds so free,
As they sport from tree to tree.

Strange the words upon the page,
They no more his mind engage;
School and books unreal seem,
They have vanished like a dream!

Chide not, Teacher, chide him not,
Though his lesson be forgot;
Nature takes him by the hand,
He her words can understand.

Follow too her wiser plan,
Let the child instruct the man;
All his nature learn to train,
Or thy toil may prove in vain.

Through long years, the mind will grow
Ere its stature it shall know;
Soon the body's height is gained,
And its fullest powers attained.

Give him motives pure and high,
Point to earth, and sea, and sky;
Let him far and wide explore
Hill, and field, and rocky shore.

Give the body health and strength,
That it may not fail at length;
That the ever-active mind
May a fit companion find.