Poem for opening day

Leland Stanford Jr. University

[Respectfully dedicated to Senator and Mrs. Stanford]

Now that in the due course of marked events Which by mankind shall e'er be reckoned great A noble hope will soon be realized A human prompting wisely, well fulfilled. There comes to me in vigil of the night, While yet the stars do stud the sombre sky, At cock-crow, ere approach of roseal dawn, The swift portrayal of a mother's heart With present, future and past combined. In fancy I can see a loving wife With arms emfolding chubby infant form Which nestles closely as in happy mood, The little one croons softly in attune To the sweet lullaby his mother sings The while she gently strokes the silken locks With cluster wreathed in sunshine round the head

So Safely billowed on maternal breast. The father on whose features there doth rest A look of deep content is standing near Watching the baby whose little mimic song Grows fainter with each breath until at length It endeth is a long-drawn baby sigh; As undisturbed he sinks to peaceful rest. Fair group fit subject for the artists brush Whose theme is love light and whose name is Hope. The imagery is changed some years have passed And now young manhood greets my mental view A joyous-hearted youth yet thoughtful too Much loved by all yet by his parents most Whose lives he blesseth daily unawares By some quaint saying or some tender act Which makes their cup of happiness complete

Again a change hath come! Behold a cloud Dark sorrow-fraght hath spread the zenith o'er

And Deaths dread angel waiteth at the door. His stoic presence all with gloom doth shroud Which erstwhile had been so replete with joy That future prospects seemed to surpass bright For who could dream it else with human sight Thangilded path be trod by manly boy

Tis oer. Once more the child sinks into rest. This time upon his Heavenly Fathers breast. Since earthly lamentations go for naught Still by the mothers heart is solace sought Friends gather round murmur "all is done;" But well she knows her work is scarce begun For she would fain fulfill his hearts desire Who while on earth to good deeds did aspire Who live a life of purity and truth And planned with her to educate fair youth The clouds which spanned the zenith now hath cleared A temple to his memory shall be reared.

The vigil of the night is surely past The glorious morning dawn is here at last; Ah! 'Tis the day on which shall be fulfilled The grand fruition noble souls have willed. For all country round they'll gather here This temple unto every heart is dear And who can tell the magnitude of calls Which neer had been but for its classic walls; That down the ages clarion notes will send Which in their power for good will have no end.

Oh may appreciation swell the souls Of all who by their presence here condoles. Oft may the parents hear the words, " Well done" In honor of their well-beloved son. Azalin Aldrich Osgood. Menlo Park Oct. 1 1891

Leland Stanford Jr University.

Respectfully Dedicated to Senator + Mrs Stanford

Now that in the due course of marked events Which by mankind shall e'er be reckoned great A noble hope will soon be realized!

A humane prompting wisely well fulfilled There comes to me in vigil of the night While yet the stars do stud the sombre sky At cock-crow ere approach of roseal dawn The swift portrayal of a Mothers heart With present future and the past combined In fancy I can see a loving wife With arms enfolding chubby infant form Which nestles closely as in happy mood The little one croons softly in attune To the sweet lullaby his mother sings The while she gently strokes the silken locks Which cluster wreathed in sunshine round the head So safely pillowed on maternal breast. The father on whose features there doth rest A look of deep content is standing near Watching the babe whose little mimic song Grows fainter with each breath until at length At endeth in a long drawn baby sigh As undisturbed he sinks to peaceful rest. Fair group fit subject for the Artist's brush Whose theme is [?]

Senator + Mrs Stanford

Now that in the due course of marked events Which by mankind shall eer be reckoned great A noble hope will soon be realized A humane prompting wisely well fulfilled There comes to me in bigil of the night While yet the stars do stud the sombre sky At cock-crow are approach of roseal dawn The swift portrayal of a Mother's heart, With present future and the past combined In fancy I can see a loving wife With arms enfolding chubby infant form Which nestles closely as in happy mood The little one croons softly in attune For the sweet lullaby his mother sings The while she gently strokes the silken locks Which clusters wreathed in sunshine round the head So safely pillowed on maternal breast. The father on whose features there doth rest A look so deep content is standing near Watching the baby whose little mimic song Grows fainter with each breath until at length At endeth in a long drawn baby sigh As undisturbed he thinks to peaceful rest. Fair group fit subject for the Artists brush Whose theme is done light and whose name is Hope.

The imagery is changed some years have pass And now young manhood greets any mental view

A joyous hearted youth yet thoughtful too Much loved by all best by his parents most Whose lives the blesseth daily unawares By some quaint saying or some tender act Which makes their cup of happiness complete.

Again a change hath come! Behold! a cloud Dark sorrow drought hath spread the zenith oer And Deaths dread Angel [engiteth?] at the door His stoic presence all with flood doth shroud Which [erstarhile?] had been so replete with joy That future prospects seemed surpassing bright For who could dream it else with human sight Than gilded path betrod by manly boy.

This oer once more the child sinks unto rest This time upon his Heavenly Fathers breast Since earthly lamentations go for naught Still by the mothers heart is solace sought Friends gather round and murmur all is done But well she knows her work is scarce begun For she would [fain?] fulfill his hearts desire Who will on earth to good deeds did aspire Who lined a life of purity and truth And planned with her to educate fair youth The cloud which spawned the zenith now hath cleared

A Temple to his memory shall be reared