Although he suffers from a cold , We joy to hear him speak , For words of wisdom from him fall , In spite of croak or squeak . Old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high , With elephantine grace , And beams upon the company , With brown and jovial face . Poetic fire lights up his eye , He struggles ` gainst his lot . Behold ambition on his brow , And on his nose , a blot . Next our peaceful Tupman comes , So rosy , plump , and sweet , Who chokes with laughter at the puns , And tumbles off his seat . Prim little Winkle too is here , With every hair in place , A model of propriety , Though he hates to wash his face . The year is gone , we still unite To joke and laugh and read , And tread the path of literature That doth to glory lead . Long may our paper prosper well , Our club unbroken be , And coming years their blessings pour On the useful , gay ` P. C. ' . A. SNODGRASS ________ THE MASKED MARRIAGE -LRB- A Tale Of Venice -RRB- Gondola after gondola swept up to the marble steps , and left its lovely load to swell the brilliant throng that filled the stately halls of Count Adelon . Knights and ladies , elves and pages , monks and flower girls , all mingled gaily in the dance . Sweet voices and rich melody filled the air , and so with mirth and music the masquerade went on . `` Has your Highness seen the Lady Viola tonight ? '' asked a gallant troubadour of the fairy queen who floated down the hall upon his arm . `` Yes , is she not lovely , though so sad ! Her dress is well chosen , too , for in a week she weds Count Antonio , whom she passionately hates . '' `` By my faith , I envy him . Yonder he comes , arrayed like a bridegroom , except the black mask . When that is off we shall see how he regards the fair maid whose heart he can not win , though her stern father bestows her hand , '' returned the troubadour . `` Tis whispered that she loves the young English artist who haunts her steps , and is spurned by the old Count , '' said the lady , as they joined the dance . The revel was at its height when a priest appeared , and withdrawing the young pair to an alcove , hung with purple velvet , he motioned them to kneel .
Instant silence fell on the gay throng , and not a sound , but the dash of fountains or the rustle of orange groves sleeping in the moonlight , broke the hush , as Count de XXXXX spoke thus : `` My lords and ladies , pardon the ruse by which I have gathered you here to witness the marriage of my daughter .
Adelon Antonio Snodgrass Venice Viola elves gondola puns troubadour week