The Cult of Mnemosyne

Contemporary education seems

To emphasize mere memorization;

Which pulverizes the quixotic dreams

Of those who cherish real comprehension

Memory is precious and powerful

As we dwindle toward our gloomy graves

We have good cause to be very thankful

To hold fast what this goddess kindly saves

But we ought to learn, first, to understand

And then to call to mind what we know well;

Rehearsing what we have by rote is grand

Its meaning we should also strive to tell

Strive first to know and then to recollect

Indoctrination we should all reject