And soon their leader, full of mirth.
And politic withal--
Well knowing that no spot on earth
Could hold them long in thrall,
Unless into their company,
Its duties and its sport,
Were introduced the pageantry
And etiquette of court--

Enrolled them in a titled band,
_L'Ordre de Bon Temps_ named,
First knighthood's grade for which this land
Of Canada is famed.
Each one in turn Grand Master was--
At close of day released--
His duty to maintain the laws,
And furnish forth a feast.

Filled with a pardonable pride
In nobles wont to dwell,
Each with his predecessor vied
In bounty to excel,
And thus it was the festive board
With beaver, otter, deer,
And fish and fowl was richly stored,
Throughout the changing year.

At mid-day--for our sires of old
Dined when the sun was high--
To where the cloth was spread, behold