I see the British soldiers, one by one,
Surrendering their arms to Washington. 
The war of revolution now is o’er,
And joyful shouts from every hillside pour. 
As soon as war’s black flag is furled,
The admiration of the world,
Bearing the love of countless grateful hearts,
George Washington unto his home departs. 
The “first in war,” and “first in peace,”
His memory shall never cease.
          
                              [Retire.

VOICES.

Once more we call.  Come forth and shine,
Spirit of seventeen eighty-nine.

(Arise 1789.)

My year beheld George Washington
Above all men the ruling one,
Of the United States first President,
His name a glory to our country lent.
          
                              [Retire.

VOICES.

Come forth, thou ghost, the last in line;
Come back, oh seventeen ninety-nine.

(Arise 1799.)

I rise with sorrow in my face,
Which time can never quite efface. 
In the last month of the Last year
Of the LAST century (dost thou hear?)
There passed away a kingly soul,
And sadly all the bells did toll;
The people mourned their leader much;
Their feelings in one mighty rush! 
Swept back o’er all the years gone by,
And heartfelt was the nation’s cry
O’er Washington whom tongue and pen
Proclaim the first in hearts of countrymen.
          
                              [Retire.

SCHOOL.

“First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

VOICES.

Who would have thought the vanished years
Could come back thus with smiles and tears!

(The years come back in procession, 1732 in advance, and recite together.)

Together we come farewell to say,
Ere in our graves we hide away. 
Till another year hath passed its round,
Our voices shall utter forth no sound. 
Our lips have only told a part
About this great and noble heart;
But go and study history’s page,
You’ll find him there from age to age. 
Before we go a challenge brave we send
Unto this year, and on till time shall end,
To e’er produce a greater one
Than our immortal Washington.
                                        [Pass out in order, repeating
                                         “Farewell, farewell!”

If there is a bell on the school-building, have some boy at this point ring it with bright, quick strokes.

SCHOLAR.

List!  I hear the bells a-ringing,
High within their steeples swinging. 
Loud let them ring, and ring, and ring,
And all abroad their music fling,
For honor doth belong to him
Whose memory ages cannot dim.

SCHOOL.

Ay, ring the bells, and raise the shout,
And drag the massive cannon out,
Let all unite as though in one
To praise immortal Washington.