'Tis One by One -- the Father counts --

'Tis One by One -- the Father counts --

And then a Tract between

Set Cypherless -- to teach the Eye

The Value of its Ten --

Until the peevish Student

Acquire the Quick of Skill --

Then Numerals are dowered back --

Adorning all the Rule --

'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil --

And Darkness on the School

Distracts the Children's fingers --

Still the Eternal Rule

Regards least Cypherer alike

With Leader of the Band --

And every separate Urchin's Sum --

Is fashioned for his hand --