POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2232, 28 May 1881, Page 3

POETRY.

(Written fob the Globe.) Good people draw near, to my story give ear, Its truth your reliance may place on— Concerning d’ye see what happened to me When I went to be made a Freemason. Strange stories were told by the gossips of old, ’ Giving cause for much deep cogitation ; Some mysterious fate there seem'd to await Him who sought to become a Freemason. ’Twas said that they’d got brand irons always red hot, Which impressed a particular place on ; Left tokens behind of indelible kind, Imprinted on every Freemason. Of these tales, when I heard, I believed not a word. But deem’d each a mere fabrication ; Come weal or come woe, I determined to know. What It was to be made a Freemason, So I spoke to a friend, bis assistance to lend. He sgree’d without hesitation ; If resolved I was quite he’d propose the next night That I should be made a Freemason,

But remember, says he, you courageous must be. On this very important occasion, For in every Lodge they’ve many a dodge, Calculated to scare a young Mason.

Whatever you hear, be it ever so queer, V ou’re expected to put a bold face on. And whatever you feel, never utter a squeal, Nor behave unbecoming a Mason.

I told him I’d pluck, and he wished me good luck With a curious expression of face on. And he promised that soon at the full of the moon. That I should be made a Freemason.

I stood ’ncath the light of the moon beaming bright. And my mind was in wild oscillation, So a copper I skied, my fate to decide. And 1 had to become a Freemason.

1 arrived at the hall just as twilight did fall, And down a long passage did pace on. Till stopped by a sentry who guarded the entry. Demanding if I were a Mason.

I said “Not” and he stared and he asked how I dared. To be there witbont qualification ; So I told him my tale, that I’d come without fail, That night to be male a Freemason.

Just then, from within, there arose a great din. And a man past the sentry did race on ; Crying, heat up the stove, for here comes a cove, As wants to be made a Freemason. Next I heard a queer sound, that came rolling aronnd, Like thnnder in deep diapason; Then a thump on the floor, and three knocks on the door. Told that some one was just made a Mason,

Says the sentry to me, now it’s your turn ye see. And this bandage yonr eyes I must place on ; And don’t stand like a fool, while the iron’s growing cool, If you mean to be made a Freemason,

I stayed for no more, but made straight for tbe door, Like a scalded cat homeward did race on ; And left like a shot, that horrible spot, Where 1 nearly got made a Freemason,

And now ever since, when I think on’t I wince. And break oat in cold perspiration, When I think of the fright, I suffered that night, When 1 didn’t get made a “ Freemason.”