Opening Ode
Delivered at an Odd-Fellows’ Concert.
Some have formed strange conceptions about the mysteries of our order.
They believe that enshrouded ‘mong the deep and mysterious
surroundings of our dark recesses and caves we have chained
’Gorgans and Hydras, and Chimeras dire,' and that in our mazes
and labyrinths,
A horrid goat we have to ride,
With long horns and shaggy hide,
And that the beast we have to stride well
Without saddle or a bridle.
Friends, with pleasure we do meet you,
And with hearty welcome greet you ;
With many we have met before,
So pleasantly in days of yore.
But some new faces we do find,
And hope they’ll criticise us kind ;
Abroad for talent we don’t roam,
But friends and neighbors here at home
Will give us now a splendid treat,
With speeches good and songs so sweet ;
And instruments whose soothing charms
Will banish cares and our alarms.
In friendly deeds they lead the van,
Both Oxford and Samaritan,
To relieve brothers in distress,
And bounteously the widows bless.
