The Old School Clock

'Twas a quaint old clock with a quaint old face, and great iron weights and chain. It stopped when it liked, and before it struck it creaked as if 'twere in pain. It had seen many years, and it seemed to say, 'I'm one of the real old stock', To the youthful fry, who with reverence looked on the face of the old school clock. What a terrible frown did the old clock wear to the truant who timidly cast An anxious eye on those merciless hands, that for him had been moving too fast! But its frown soon changed, for it loved to smile on the thoughtless, noisy flock, And it creaked and whirred, and struck with glee, Did that genial, good humoured old clock. Well, years had passed, and my mind was filled with the world, its cares and ways, When again I stood in that little school where I passed my boyhood days. My old friend was gone! And there hung a thing that my sorrow seemed to mock, As I gazed with a tear and a softened heart at a new-fashioned Yankee clock. 'Tis the way of the world. Old friends pass away and fresh faces arise in their stead. But still 'mid the din and bustle of life we cherish fond thoughts of the dead. Yes, dearly those memories cling round my heart, and bravely withstand Time's rude shock; But not one is more dear or more hallowed to me than the face of that old school clock.