Newton'S Principia

Great Newton's self, to whom the world's in debt, Owed to School Mistress sage his Alphabet; But quickly wiser than his Teacher grown, Discover'd properties to her unknown; Of A plus B, or minus, learn'd the use, Known Quantities from unknown to educe; And made--no doubt to that old dame's surprise-- The Christ-Cross-Row his Ladder to the skies. Yet, whatsoe'er Geometricians say, Her Lessons were his true PRINCIPIA!