| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| A Board School Pastoral |
| | | May Kendall (b. 1861) |
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| ALONE I stay; for I am lame, | |
| I cannot join them at the game, | |
| The lads and lasses; | |
| But many a summer holiday | |
| I sit apart and watch them play, | 5 |
| And well I know: my heart can say, | |
| When Ella passes. | |
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| Of all the maidens in the place, | |
| ’T is Ella has the sunniest face, | |
| Her eyes are clearest. | 10 |
| Of all the girls, or here or there, | |
| ’T is Ella’s voice is soft and rare, | |
| And Ella has the darkest hair, | |
| And Ella’s dearest. | |
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| Oh, strong the lads for bat or ball, | 15 |
| But I in wit am first of all | |
| The master praises. | |
| The master’s mien is grave and wise; | |
| But, while I look into his eyes, | |
| My heart, that o’er the schoolroom flies, | 20 |
| At Ella gazes. | |
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| And Hal ’s below me every day; | |
| For Hal is wild, and he is gay, | |
| He loves not learning. | |
| But when the swiftest runners meet, | 25 |
| Oh, who but Hal is proud and fleet, | |
| And there ’s a smile I know will greet | |
| His glad returning. | |
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| They call me moody, dull, and blind, | |
| They say with books I maze my mind, | 30 |
| The lads and lasses; | |
| But little do they know—ah me! | |
| How with my book upon my knee | |
| I dream and dream, but ever see | |
| Where Ella passes. | 35 |
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