The Pledge

See the wretched drunkard reeling
    From the vile deceiver’s den,
Stripped of every thought and feeling
    Worthy of the hearts of men!
        What can lift him
From his misery again?

‘Tis the Pledge that binds securely
    All our brother-hearts in one;
‘Tis the fellowship that purely
    Holds us to the work begun,
        Join us, brother,
And thy wretched days are done.

Young and old, in strength and beauty.
    Warm of heart and firm of limb,
Take it, for the love of him
        In whose spirit
Burns the fire of manhood dim.

Sign, that many a weeping mother
    May rejoice in hope once more!
Sign, that erring friend and brother
    May be rescued from the power
        Of the spoiler,
Coiled in ambush to devour!

By the spotless heart of boyhood,
    Open to the taint of sin;
By the bliss a daughter’s joy would
    Steep a mother’s bosom in;
        By the promise 
Of a heaven no vice can win;

By the loathly degradation
    Of the drunkard’s withered soul;
By your holiest aspiration,
Sign, and fling away the bowl,
        And forever
Fly the subtle fiend’s control!