FRESHMAN'S TERM

Return again, thou Freshman's year, When bloom was on the rye, When breakfast came with bottled beer, When Pleasure walked the High; When Torpid Bumps were more by far To every opening mind Than Trade, or Shares, or Peace, or War, To senior humankind; When ribbons of outrageous hues Were worn with honest pride, When much was talked of boats and crews, When Proctors were defied: When Tick was in its early bloom, When Schools were far away, As vaguely distant as the tomb, Nor more regarded--they! When arm was freely linked with arm Beneath the College limes, When Sunday grinds possessed a charm Denied to College Rhymes: When ices were in much request Beside the April fire, When men were very strangely dressed By Standen or by Prior. Return, ye Freshman's Terms! They DO Return, and much the same, To boys, who, just like me and you, Play the absurd old game!