The Pemigewasset Choral Society commissioned a work in honor of the 125th Anniversary of Plymouth State University, and asked me to set texts from the period of the University’s founding about education. When I didn’t find any texts I liked, I wrote two myself. Ut prosim, “That I may serve,” is the motto of Plymouth State.
Ut Prosim
(Latin, "That I may serve"; motto of Plymouth State College)
I. The Founding
Who could imagine, standing at its source,
that one small brook which led a stream to thrive
could send this river flowing on a drive
of countless miles along its southward course?
Or that this placid river has the force
to bring whole miles of valleyway alive?
What human enterprise could even strive
to do such deeds? Who dares such plans endorse?
Thus we imagine; thus we dare to try;
thus may the seat of learning we found here,
beside this noble river, find its reach
extending farther than the human eye
can hope to see or summon. Far and near
thus may we nourish -- through the souls we teach.
II. Graduation Day
A town amidst the hills,
with common, churchyard, steeple,
but who will serve the land?
And who will serve its people?
What daring enterprise!
Above the churchyard's steeple,
a college for the land,
a college for its people!
So may its beacon shine
on township, churchyard, steeple,
that I may serve the land,
that I may serve its people,
that I may serve.
