(Walter Percy Bretz.)

Alert while others wait for thy command,
Awake when others seek the boon of sleep,
Active with pencil, that ever seems to leap
Across the page, in thy untiring hand,
Thou carest not—when in the early 'hour
Thy rapid eye each folio reviews,—
That none else knows the deft display of news
Was wrought by thine adroitest skill and pow'r.

Yet, paragon of prescience and of strength,
Obscurely toiling day and night to tell
The passing story of the new-born days,
What the remorseless Time destroy at length
Thy puissance, ever on thy brow shall dwell
The Victor's wreath of green immortal bays.