BALLAD TO THE BROTHERHOOD

Despite the rush of commerce and distractions linked to life,

Forgetting one brief moment all the noise and ceaseless strife:

Reflection’s voice reminds me that with ebbing tide of time,

Floats away a merry epoch—hear ye not the watch bells chime?

Dear friends and faithful colleagues on this strand and o’er the sea,

I recall your proffered kindness and your courtesy to me.

Memory serves to paint a picture shewing changes in the past:

’Tis well the Reaper’s scythe is stayed until the die is cast.