An Overworked Elocutionist

Once there was a little boy whose name was Robert Reese;

And every Friday afternoon he had to speak a piece.

So many poems thus he learned, that soon he had a store

Of recitations in his head and still kept learning more.

 A painting by Norman Rockwell

And now this is what happened: He was called upon one week

And totally forgot the piece he was about to speak.

His brain he cudgeled. Not a word remained within his head!

And so he spoke at random, and this is what he said:

"My beautiful, my beautiful, who standest proudly by,

It was the schooner Hesperus-the breaking waves dashed high!

Why is this Forum crowded? What means this stir in Rome?

Under a spreading chestnut tree, there is no place like home!

When freedom from her mountain height cried, "Twinkle, little star,'

Shoot if you must this old gray head, King Henry of Navarrel

Roll on, thou deep and dark blue castled crag of Drachenfels,

My name is Norval, on the Grampian Hills, ring out, wild bells!

If you're waking, call me early, to be or not to be,

The curfew must not ring tonight! Oh, woodman, spare that tree!

Charge, Chester, charge! On, Stanley, on! and let who will be clever!

The boy stood on the burning deck, but I go on forever!"

His elocution was superb, his voice and gestures fine;

His schoolmates all applauded as he finished the last line.

"I see it doesn't matter," Robert thought, "what words I say,

So long as I declaim with oratorical display."

"An Overworked Elocutionist"

(1908)

A poem by Carolyn Wells

(1862-1942)