Toe in the water

[nineveh_uk]

There’s a poetry meme. And damn it, but I am going to post.

Hall and Knight

I first read and memorised this poem aged about eight. It was my first introduction to algebra, and it is possible that I liked the poem so much because of that - in those days, algebra possessed a sort of glamour that came, perhaps, from its association with Older Children and Big School. Actual understanding was not required. It was about twenty years later that I discovered that Hall and Knight were real people who tormented school children with their infamous work Elementary Algebra. I've since acquired a copy; it ain't that elementary, Watson.

The poem is also significant to me for another reason. It was my introduction to subtext and slash. There was just something about these house-sharing, slyly winking Victorian gentlemen that made me think Hmm...

It's by E.V. Rieu, more famous as the Penguin Classics translator of Homer, but author of some really rather charming (in the best way) children's poetry.

Hall and Knight

or 'z + b + x = y + b + z'

When he was young his cousins used to say of Mr Knight:
'This boy will write an algebra - or looks as if he might.'
And sure enough, when Mr Knight had grown to be a man,
He purchased pen and paper and an inkpot, and began.

But he very soon discovered that he couldn't write at all,
And his heart was filled with yearnings for a certain Mr Hall;
Till, after many years of doubt, he sent his friend a card:
'Have tried to write an Algebra, but find it very hard.'

Now Mr Hall himself had tried to write a book for schools,
But suffered from a handicap: he didn't know the rules.
So when he heard from Mr Knight and understood his gist,
He answered him by telegram: 'Delighted to assist.'

So Mr Hall and Mr Knight they took a house together,
And they worked away at algebra in any kind of weather,
Determined not to give up until they had evolved
A problem so constructed that it never could be solved.

'How hard it is', said Mr Knight, 'to hide the fact from youth
That x and y are equal: it is such an obvious truth!'
'It is', said Mr Hall, 'but if we gave a b to each,
We'd put the problem well beyond our little victims' reach.

'Or are you anxious, Mr Knight, lest any boy should see
The utter superfluity of this repeated b?'
'I scarcely fear it', he replied, and scratched this grizzled head,
'But perhaps it would be safer if to b we added z.'

'A brilliant stroke!', said Hall, and added z to either side;
Then looked at his accomplice with a flush of happy pride.
And Knight, he winked at Hall (a very pardonable lapse).
And they printed off the Algebra and sold it to the chaps.