Poem for January 28, 2026

Along the Woodford road there comes a noise

Of wheels, and Mr. Rounding's neat post-chaise

Struggles along, drawn by a pair of bays,

With Reverend Mr. Crow and six small boys,

Who ever and anon declare their joys

With trumping horns and juvenile huzzas,

At going home to spend their Christmas days,

And changing learning's pains for pleasure's toys.

Six weeks elapse, and down the Woodford way

A heavy coach drags six more heavy souls,

But no glad urchins shout, no trumpets bray,

The carriage makes a halt, the gate-bell tolls,

And little boys walk in as dull and mum

As six new scholars to the Deaf and Dumb!