Читать книгу Tales of the Wonder Club (Vol. 1-3) - M. Y. Halidom - Страница 15

As we join hand in hand

Let us sing to our band,

And lift up our voice in a ditty;

May memories well stored

E'er enliven our board

With the wondrous, the weird, and the witty.

Let each thirsty soul

Round the merry punch bowl

Drink deep to our brotherhood's founding,

And loud be the cheers

That resound in the ears

Of the member with tale most astounding.

Round the merry Yule flame

May our band of the same

Meet year after year in their niches,

And list as of yore

To our tales by the score

Of phantoms, wraiths, goblins, and witches.

Then our song's jocund sound,

When our nectar flows round,

Sure Olympus was never so merry.

Right jovial our crew,

Whate'er be the brew,

Whether brandy, port, whisky or sherry.

Now whate'er befall,

Here's a "good-night" to all,

May Queen Mab with her train cheer our slumber;

And with one last toast,

Let us drown every ghost,

Or goblin, or ghoul, in a bumper.

The song at an end, a last bumper was drunk by way of a nightcap, and each gallant member or guest walked, or staggered, as the case might be, off to bed.

"Ho, steward!" cried the captain, to the landlord; "douse the glims, and show the passengers to their cabins. Where have you slung my hammock?"

Our host provided candles for each of his guests, and bidding them all "good-night," gave a yawn, and followed the example of the rest.