[After Wordsworth.] br br br It was a phantom of delight br When first it gleamed upon my sight, br A scholarly distinction, sent br To be a student's ornament. br The hood was rich beyond compare, br The gown was a unique affair. br By this, by that my mind was drawn br Then, in my academic dawn; br A dancing shape, an image gay br Before me then was my M.A. br I saw it upon nearer view, br A glory, yet a bother too! br For I perceived that I should be br Involved in much Philosophy br (A branch in which I could but meet br Works that were neither light nor sweet); br In Mathematics, not too good br For human nature's daily food br And Classics, rendered in the styles br Of Kelly, Bohn, and Dr. Giles. br And now I own, with some small spleen, br A most confounded ass I've been; br The glory seems an empty breath, br And I am nearly bored to death br With Reason, Consciousness, and Will, br And other things beyond my skill, br Discussed in books all darkly planned br And more in number than the sand. br Yet that M.A. still haunts my sight, br With something of its former light.