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1849–1903

VIII. BLUECOAT BOY

William Ernest Henley

So went our boys when EDWARD SIXTH, the King, Chartered CHRIST'S HOSPITAL, and died. And so Full fifteen generations in a string Of heirs to his bequest have had to go.

Thus CAMDEN showed, and BARNES, and STILLING-FLEET, And RICHARDSON, that bade our LOVELACE be; The little ELIA thus in NEWGATE STREET; Thus to his GENEVIEVE young S. T. C.

With thousands else that, wandering up and down, Quaint, privileged, liked and reputed well, Made the great School a part of LONDON TOWN Patent as PAUL'S and vital as BOW BELL:

The old School nearing exile, day by day, To certain clay-lands somewhere HORSHAM way.

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VIII. BLUECOAT BOY · William Ernest Henley · Poetry Cove