Classic Poem

Once more on the shore of the Upper Ausable
We gather to-night — the " Knights of the Table, "
With purple-peaked mountains above and below us,
To drink to the " health " of the Club of Tahawas.

Unloosen the knapsack, and ring out a chorus
To brothers and friends who have been here before us;
With greeting to streamlet and cascade that know us,
We mingle our song with the voice of Tahawas.

The clan-word is sounded, the camp-fires are burning;
Tahawas! Tahawas! your sons are returning.
Hark! hear the response! ay, the Gothics hurrah us,
And welcome their children, the Club of Tahawas.

It was here we were reared in our earliest childhood,
In Panther-Gorge Lodge — darkest glen of the wildwood,
In deep forest shadows ere " Mountain Phelps " saw us:
A pledge, boys, to Sky light, high priest of Tahawas.

Three cheers and a tiger! Hurrah for the mountains!
For Colden and Feldspar — the Hudson's clear fountains!
Love's loadstone magnetic forever shall draw us
To bow in thy worship, wide-ruling Tahawas!

There is drouth in our canteens, ye knights of blue flannel;
Dip full to the brim from the pebble-white channel;
Then up with the cup, and — " May catamounts claw us
The day we forget thee, dear Club of Tahawas! "