His Hierophantic thrum entrances, saying:
"Attend thee well this lay; for I shall strike upon thy memory
And refresh the founts of thy well this day."
Weary trials ye prevailed to hear this telling, manifest to he who understands,
...
"Tattoo"
Was the signal for the men to prepare to rest for the night:
"Taps' Lyric's"
...
Seekers Of The Flame
His Hierophantic thrum entrances, saying:
"Attend thee well this lay; for I shall strike upon thy memory
And refresh the founts of thy well this day."
Weary trials ye prevailed to hear this telling, manifest to he who understands,
Perhaps envisioned in thy slumber thou dreamed dreams of the grandeur at their hands.
The staff that writhed at Pharaoh's feet; the tongue from the serpent of old,
A basin from the Temple, ‘the number of a man' it bears in talents of gold.
All this they keep sacrosanct and of its glory, the world shall see no more.
While they in white linen, crimson blazed, well honored, are but poor.
Their hearts are not turned at Dome or Spire, or any pomp that lips may frame,
For they are sated of the tepid and corruptible, they seek only for the flame.
And if they find it smoldering betimes, burning soft, within unblemished breast,
By unspoken obligation bound, pledge to him both sword and stalwart crest.
Beauty, truth, and knowledge they serve, and shall be his only fare,
And he shall be raised upon all the points circled within the square.
Yet only One, descended of Adam, hath fanned that flame to fire,
For save but "The Lamb of Truth, " all have been quelled, by mammon and desire.
The runes were cast before thy birth; before Eden and the fall;
And if the throw compassed thee, stand forth and heed its ancient, atavistic call.
Kneel not to slake thee from the river; draw up thy drink with thine own hand
And heed neither prince nor preacher, which boast to foretell thee of God's plan.
In dreams, thou may have glimpsed us, neath flying Baucant, twain upon a steed.
We stood as Cedars before the Saracen, but foul calumny's darts our death decreed.
Twofold upon dark charger mounted, Truth, and Virtue are braided into his mane;
We have ridden thus through all the ages, for though we would find giants,
We are but poor seekers of the flame.
And how these words shall mark thee, the knowing is beyond the Oracle's spell,
But know that by this telling I have done thee well.
Fittingly, keep thy demeanor as before, thy outward self do not amend.
Restrain thee, that the unconversant by thy newness, thou should not offend.
Moreover, say to the fair, should they lament of the bounds they may not brook:
"Thou art Eve; thus, while we must labor to our salvation,
Thy mild name is already blazoned in the Book."
Now stand forth, and receive as signet your new name within this stone,
For it shall be thy passage cross the Jordan, when at labors end
The trump shall call us home."
F.E. Van Kirk