Professor Edward B. Reed, B.A. 1894, published in 1913 a tiny volume of academic verse, called _Lyra Yalensis_. This contains happily humorous comment on college life and college customs, and as the entire edition was almost immediately sold, the book has already become something of a rarity. In 1917, he collected the best of his more ambitious work in _Sea Moods_, of which one of the most impressive is THE DAWN He shook his head as he turned away-- "Is it life or death?" "We shall know by day." Out from the wards where the sick folk lie, Out neath the black and bitter sky. Past one o'clock and the wind is chill, The snow-clad streets are ghostly still; No friendly noise, no cheering light, So calm the city sleeps to-night, I think its soul has taken flight. Back to the empty home--a thrill, A shudder at its darkened sill, For the clock chimes as on that morn, That happy day when she was born. And now, inexorably slow, To life or death the hours go. Time's wings are clipped; he scarce doth creep. Tonight no drug could bring you sleep; Watch at the window for the day; 'Tis all that's left--to watch and pray. But I think the prayer of an anguished heart Must pierce that bleak sky like a dart, And tear that pall of clouds apart. The poplars, edging the frozen lawn, Shudder and whisper: "Wait till dawn." Two spirits stand beside her bed Softly stroking her curly head. Death whispers, "Come"--Life whispers, "Stay." Child, little child, go not away. Life pleads, "Remember"--and Death, "Forget." Little child, little child, go not yet. By all your mother's love and pain, Child of our heart, child of our brain, Stay with us; go not till you see The Fairyland that life can be. . . . . . . . . The poplars, edging the frozen lawn, Are dancing and singing. "Thank God--the Dawn!" Professor Frederick E. Pierce, B.A. 1904, has produced three volumes of poems, of which _The World that God Destroyed_ exhibits an epic sweep of the imagination. He imagines a world far off in space, where every form of life has perished save rank vegetation. One day in their wanderings over the universe, Lucifer and Michael meet on this dead ball. A truce is declared and each expresses some of the wisdom bought by experience. The upas dripped its poison on the ground Harmless; the silvery veil of fog went up From mouldering fen and cold, malarial pool, But brought no taint and threatened ill to none. Far off adown the mountain's craggy side From time to time the avalanche thundered, sounding Like sport of giant children, and the rocks Whereon it smote re-echoed innocently. Then in a pause of silence Lucifer Struck music from the harp again and sang.