EVERYCHILD. Oh, I don’t know! You look so old and blue. And must I study those great books all through?
LATIN. Yes, that you must. But take my hand and come, For I have treasures in my mountain home: Right habits, carefulness, foundations firm For every language that the moderns learn, Choice words, the source of English sound and pure. How say you? Can you follow, and endure?
EVERYCHILD. But can you play with me, and guard me well, And guide where Beauty bright, and Goodness, dwell?
LATIN. Aye, that I can. I know their home on high—
[_As_ EVERYCHILD _puts her hand in_ LATIN’S _and advances a step, enter_ MATHEMATICS, _also in dark gown, with head covered, carrying slate or compasses._]
EVERYCHILD. But who is this? And must she with us go? Your family are all so dark and slow! No, I don’t think I like you. What’s your name?
MATHEMATICS. In every tongue my symbols are the same. 2 × 1 are 2, 2 × 2 are 4, 2 × 3 are 6— My name is Mathematics. Many a year We’ll doubtless be acquainted—never fear.
EVERYCHILD. But you look stiff and stern. Why don’t you sing, And smile, and wear soft robes?
MATHEMATICS. A mighty king I serve, and it is mine to teach and train.
A trinomial is a perfect square when two of its terms are perfect squares and positive, and the third term is twice the product of their square roots.
EVERYCHILD. [_Who has put her fingers to her ears during the definition._] No, I don’t like you! I won’t take your hand, For you have nothing that I want. [_Turns away._]
MATHEMATICS. Nay, stand! Stand thou and listen! Royal gifts have I, Gifts men have sold their mortal lives to buy. ’Tis I that build the house, that count the tide; I lay the rails, I span the waters wide; I teach how planets sail the ether high; I guide the aëroplane that dares the sky; I tunnel deep where mighty rivers roll; I plant the stars and stripes upon the pole! Lo, this is I!
EVERYCHILD. Oh, let me go with you! and can you tell Where radiant Goodness, and where Beauty, dwell?
MATHEMATICS. Their servant am I. I can lead you—Stay!
[_As they begin to go off together, enter_ DISCIPLINE, _in black gown and cap, with bunch of switches, arms folded, frowning._]
EVERYCHILD. Oh, I’m afraid—I think I’ll run away. You naughty thing! How dare you! Go away!