My dear Miss Clapp -
Your card reached me yesterday and I have made a copy of the fragments which are left to me from that classic. The secretary of the association took the other copy, but this, certainly, is as much like that as any copy could be expected to be. I fear that too careful perusal will destroy its charms.
I am very glad you enjoyed the books. I can imagine how much they applied to you for I know how I enjoy anything about Turkey since my year there.
Sincerely yours -
Angelina L. Weeks -32 Thompson St.
Springfield Mass.
April 22. 1909.
St. Patrick up to date.
IHail! glorious descendant of Erin's Apostle,
We join in fond greeting on this natal day.
In wit and in knowledge, the pride of our College,
We welcome thee home from the lands far away.
For 'twas thy devotion to biology,
Which moved thee thy country and kindred to leave.
All earthly enjoyment & comforts to part with.
Hail! glorious descendant of Erin's Apostle,
We join in fond greeting on this natal day.
In wit and in knowledge, the pride of our College,
We welcome thee home from the lands far away.
II. A scientist she, of world-wide reputation,
Has ridden the toad-fish from ocean to ocean,
She knows him when young & she knows him when older,
She's followed his call, be the day warm or colder,
She's drawn him from ocean depths calm and serene.
She's caught him 'mongst seaweeds all red, brown & green,
She's traelled wherever that toad-fish is seen,
Hail! glorious descendent &c.
III. Although to obey, she must everything leave,
And, like Patrick, go forth to dwell among strangers,
Burning with ardor & scientists' fervor,
She yields all to learning most generously.
With diligent care, did she prepare,
Her mind for a labor so great & sublime,
Resolve to acquit herself of it most faithfully.
Hail! glorious descendent &c.
IV. As St. Patrick of old with the reptiles did combat
And cleared Erin's Isle of the venomous snake,
This scion of his, to her task ever faithful,
Has rid her loved town of the poor pussy-cat.
Not yielding to howling nor growling most fearful,
Not daunted by bites nor by scratches most dreadful,
She hunted her prey most victoriously.
Hail! glorious descendent &c.
V. In the space of her life she so much has completed
That its span by the years cannot truly be meted.
From song-birds and fishes, we bring her good wishes
They bow to her will & her marvelous skill.
No venerable dame with snowy locks fair,
Can with our most learnéd Cornelia compare.
All creatures acknowledge their conqueror here.
Hail! glorious descendant of Erin's Apostle,
We join in fond greeting on this natal day.
In wit and in knowledge, the pride of our College,
We welcome thee home from the lands far away.
VI. With hearts, birds and fishes, we bring our good wishes,
Our offerings, also, we lay at thy feet.
Our love without measure,
The heart's richest treasure,
Is writ in each page of the volumes we bring.
Hail! glorious descendant of Erin's Apostle,
We join in fond greeting on this natal day.
In age as in knowledge, the pride of our College,
We welcome thee home from the lands far away.March 17, 1909.
[Cornelia was born on March 17, 1849 so this poem was written for her 60th birthday.]