My Alma Mater

I hope I’ll never live to see some day,
My dear school Royal College pass away,
For six score years my Alma Mater Stood
Unsullied, for Sri Lanka’s greater good,
Founded on high traditions sound as oak,
By men like Harward, Hartley, Reed and Boake;
Great “heads” they were, each one in his own way,
Who live the words “Disce Aut Discede”,
That we to Education may return
As much or more than we once strove to learn.
The names of Vollenhoven, Vanderwall,
Paulusz, Peiris, Roberts, Jansz recall
The golden age of teachers – now no more,
I fear for those who yet to be born.
Vandals may strive to sack our seat of learning,
And even raze it to the ground by burning,
But Royal’s spirit never can grow cold,
Her blood is blue, her heart is solid gold

Royal College Magazine
April – 1956