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

Emily Dickinson·1830–1886
Lines:16
'Tis One by One -- the Father counts --And then a Tract betweenSet Cypherless -- to teach the EyeThe Value of its Ten -- Until the peevish StudentAcquire the Quick of Skill --Then Numerals are dowered back --Adorning all the Rule -- 'Tis mostly Slate and Pencil --And Darkness on the SchoolDistracts the Children's fingers --Still the Eternal Rule Regards least Cypherer alikeWith Leader of the Band --And every separate Urchin's Sum --Is fashioned for his hand --