1 To our first critics send we these In memory of two years ago When, in the 'Children's Room' below, We laboured at our poesies. 2 And often after supper time, Miss Georgie laid her work aside (Kindest of critics) to decide The merits of some halting rhyme. 3 Then by the Syndicate of Three The red-hot verse was duly tried— This thing or that was set aside, Or shapéd to perfecte degree. 4 And far into the night we sate,— (With ink and thoughts that gaily flowed) Dashed from the lyric to the ode Nor e'en an epic seemed too great. 5 The morn brought council—ever wise, And ever kind and freely given, As though the writers twain had striven In verse that should outlive the skies. 6 And you shall find, if you will look, How much your words have stayed with us, When verse was written thus and thus Among the pages of 'Our Book'. 7 For even now, as then, we feel The rhyming brochure we submit Will reach, when you have studied it, Our Court of Ultimate Appeal.
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