She was considered the cleverest girl
in the school, and deservedly so,

and as such started the lower sixth
with no trepidation,

so who could not feel for her when
she stretched back in her chair,

casually, in a lesson-break
on an autumnal afternoon, remarking,

‘Live long and prosper…
that was Horace, right?’

There was a brief outbreak of disbelief
then the boys’ eyes curled;

they were on hand, forever after,
chevaliers, free with the sign of the vulcan.