Classic Poem

AT THE Phi B ETA Kappa M EETING OF 1884, — AFTER M R B AYARD'S A DDRESS

When Nestor ended, 'mid the loud acclaim,
As echoing plaudits sounded down the shore,
If from the listening ranks some stripling came,
And like some Oliver, demanded more,
The graver chieftains of maturer age
Half heard and half deferred his bold request;
They bade each beardless youth, each hoary sage,
Wait for the sequel till they'd done the feast.

For down the shore, by smoke and vapor hid,
The cooks were basting while the spits went round,
With savory porker or with savory kid,
While bubbling gravy wasted on the ground.

Phi Beta follows in this classic way,
Postpones the sequel of the charmed discourse,
At groaning tables breaks the passing day,
And mingles wisdom with the second course.

For gamesome kid, we roast the summer lamb;
For heating wines we drink the cooling ice;
Recall their boar's meat in our savory ham;
Then quicken memories, and exchange advice, —
Tell the old stories of forgotten fields,
And try the fortunes which the future yields.

To rites like these, brethren, assemble all, —
Leaving these seats, repair to yonder hall,
And form procession at the marshal's call.