'I/J'3y^/^ 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 007 031 348 
 
 i 
 
 HoUinger Corp. 
 pH 8.5 
 
Ttie Bo* Telle 
 
 P) ice, 2j (Senis. 
 
le I eiiiDle 
 
 R. H. VICKERS. 
 
 '•^7 
 
 CHICAGO : 
 
 Press of the Western Label Co. 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 
 1893, by Robert H. Vickers. in the office of the Librarian 
 of Congress at Washington. 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 To every Honorable and persecuted President and Mayor 
 in the United States. 
 
 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
 
THE BOODLE TEMPLE. 
 
 O, for a Sphinx to guard our Pharaoh's door, 
 Watchful of eye and ear, by night and day; 
 
 Alert to challenge all, behind, before. 
 
 Who boldly tread the broad and beaten way 
 
 Fronting the open portal's ample spread. 
 
 Thronged by a surging crowd, who spurn delay, 
 
 With lips compressed, and staring eyeballs red. 
 
 And all their stubborn souls by one fierce passion led. 
 
 From North they come, with fair and rounded face; 
 
 The East's contingent, hungry, spare and wan; 
 The West pours in an eager, fearless race; 
 
 The Southern host bears trace of vaunting gone. 
 But still undaunted and in friendly guise. 
 
 In restless rivalry the crowd moves on. 
 Nor listens to the taunts and hard replies 
 Which, flung from quivering lips, in rugged tones arise. 
 
 A mingled throng from every clime are they. 
 
 Here stalwart Turk accosts the wily Greek, 
 (Each striving to seize all the crowded way,) 
 
 In tones which still of Navarino speak; 
 Swarthy Sicilian beards the yellow Moor; 
 
 Briton and Russ press hard the ebon cheek 
 Of Senegambia's darkest. Romans here endure 
 The scowl Sarmatia hurls, from slave's foul fate secure. 
 
The brawn}', plaided Scot, the soft Hindoo — 
 Japhet and Shem full typified in each — 
 
 Jostle in the crush; the plastic Jew 
 
 Elbows his sternest hater; Erin's speech 
 
 In words wdiich all the garnered ire reveal 
 
 Of centuries' hate, yet cannot wholly reach 
 
 Its full expression, scorns to conceal 
 
 The one ambition's force which Jew and Gentile feel. 
 
 Bohemian, Finn and Lapp, a motley crowd, 
 
 Suevi and Norse, and dapper Japanese, 
 With mingled breath gesticulate aloud; 
 
 And China's slant-eyed sons with stolid ease. 
 Press to the goal, though distant and unseen; 
 
 Stout Mag3'ar, too, and Goth contend with these, 
 In strong pursuit of that which aye has been 
 Man's cult, and guides his life in every human scene. 
 
 To check this ever growing, ceaseless host 
 
 Within a less than savage onslaught, now 
 
 Necessity's decree commands the most 
 
 Stern rule the dread relentless fates allow. 
 
 Arise! O Sphinxl in all thy might appear! 
 
 With terror's eye and ever darkened brow, 
 
 In aspect fierce, inspiring horrid fear. 
 
 To quell this surging mass, which swells from far and near. 
 
 Not as thy prototype on Libya's sand, 
 
 With features mild and sadly patient mien; 
 
 But mighty to subdue this lawless band: 
 
 Not silent, but with utterance hot and keen, 
 
 To pierce their ears, and with poiaEntous roar 
 
 To chase the wrangling rabble from the scene 
 
 Which chokes the Pharaoh's ever open door; 
 
 However gorged with gifts, still clamorous for more. 
 
Arise! O Sphinx! with tongues' immortal gift, 
 In all the tones of varied human speech, 
 
 Ready to smite with sharp retort and swift, 
 In aptest phrase, the native cry of each; 
 
 Not in pedantic form or classic mold 
 
 Which men employ when humbly they beseech 
 
 The rich or officed, but as when men scold 
 
 A base intruder's gall in words both clear and bold. 
 
 ''■Mach dicli hieraiis,'" in hoarse Teutonic shout, 
 
 "■Otcz voi/s vitc,'" must swift as light succeed. 
 Fling ''Klidte se,'' against the rabble rout, 
 
 ''DJao.'" ''Ide praedstiind,'' ''Gantweg," forth with speed 
 Thrust in their ears; ''Yetch pretch,'' "■Va via,'' "-Po,'' 
 
 ''Da/ol,'' "■Tischarce chuk,'" nor stay to heed 
 Excuses. "Larga .fc," ^'ErcgJ,'" ^'Fegcii two," 
 With "-Poga,'" '■'■Gad u/," ''Be aff now,'' smite them high 
 
 and low. 
 
 They linger still, '■'Fora di qua" fling out; 
 
 '•Houee la," ''Karathlan," '■'■Be dubJi dacJiee," 
 '■'■Chi kue," "Vattin," in fiercer shout; 
 
 ' ' Gubh a iiiacli," ' 'Jdi ven," "Dcte yiike," 
 "Mach lath," "Yeie vinni," with gesture bold, 
 
 "Gadvack," "Iiikhala," "Diirhash," "Iiishi;" 
 High amid all the cacophonious scold 
 In one strong cry, "Get out," let all thy wrath be told. 
 
 With fearless spring repel the onward stride. 
 
 Nor heed the menaced blow. In ancient days 
 
 Importunate crowds by Nilus' muddy tide 
 
 Besieged their Pharaoh. Meek in gait and phrase 
 
 Their Sphinx endured, with gentle prayer and vow, 
 Each ruffian stroke and buffet, every phase 
 
 Of ribald wrong; her wounded lips and brow 
 
 In petrified disgrace retain those scars till now. 
 
Beware! be strong! The temple's portals near 
 Entice the reeking rabble to its halls, 
 
 Where rapt imagination pictures clear 
 
 Thousand delights in pillar, dome and walls, 
 
 Clothing the scene with colors fixed and gay. 
 The truth no gazing worshiper appals. 
 
 He sees in fancy a divine array, 
 
 Splendid in gorgeous forms and clothed in endless da5^ 
 
 Three times revolving, earth surrounds the sun 
 
 With shadowed path; three times the circling year 
 
 In mingled light and shade its goal hath won; 
 
 And all these lengthened days and nights appear. 
 
 Peaceful and blessed, around those portals strong. 
 
 Listless the Sphinx may droop in peace; now here 
 
 Some casual foot awakes the echoes long, 
 
 Silent the vacant halls, dispersed the fervid throng. 
 
 But when its fourth course Sol's resplendent car 
 Begins to trace, there is a restless sign 
 
 Of gathering thousands hastening from afar. 
 By thirst and hunger led, to seek divine 
 
 Consoling joys beneath great Boodle's dome; 
 Where universal hopes and griefs combine 
 
 To fix the seat of that mysterious Om, 
 
 The sacred fount of life; saints' beatific home. 
 
 Without, surpassing fair the stories rise; 
 
 Nude caryatid, arch and architrave; 
 While dome on dome ascending to the skies, 
 
 O'ertop the polished columns. Banners wave 
 To every breeze. O'er all the sheen of gold 
 
 Thrills to the core all throbbing hearts that crave 
 That strange seductive treasure which of old 
 Enslaves, entrances all who sigh as they behold. 
 
Within, mysterious shadows' gloomy frown 
 
 Alternate mingles with a fitful gleam 
 Springing from deep recesses; strange lights crown 
 
 Column and arch, whose brightened angles seem 
 Stretched into vistas; niche and terrace rise 
 
 Tier upon tier, which fancy well may deem 
 An infinite succession; still the gloom defies 
 Investigation; all appears a glory to the eyes. 
 
 Beneath, a reeking bed of gathered mire 
 
 Fouled with the special dirt of every clime, 
 
 Unheeded in the one consuming fire 
 
 Of frenzied devotees. A thickening slime 
 
 Gathers on wall and arch, from noisome breath 
 Of vomic-nicotine. The vault sublime 
 
 Smeared with the sooty mass of pendent death. 
 
 Dinned by the thunder cries, none heeds what other saith. 
 
 Within a deep enclosure, raised on high, 
 
 Shrouded in gloom, the great god Boodle views 
 
 The fetid crowd; by moving limb and eye 
 Tokening perennial interest lest he lose 
 
 One smallest portion of the scene below; 
 
 With outstretched hand, disdaining to refuse 
 
 A single prayer, the rapture to forego 
 
 Of benisons on all who worship, high and low. 
 
 Sudden, the gazing multitude is hushed; 
 
 Silence profound imports some portent near; 
 Only is heard the anguished heart throb crushed 
 
 By pained suspense; now strained both eye and ear 
 To be the swiftest first to hear or see 
 
 Or seen or heard, or with the first appear. 
 Flash! On the god's stretched palm gleam brilliantly 
 Mysterious magic signs: — O. F. F. I. C. E. 
 
Then awe, a shortening breath, — a sigh, a groan 
 
 Swells in a gasping sound through all the space; 
 
 Resounds each vault and isle; the anguished tone 
 Recalls to ear the fabled torment place. 
 
 Then gathered all into a mighty roar. 
 
 Torture and hate emblazoned on each face, — 
 
 Shouts the fierce crowd, low bending to the floor, 
 
 "Ave! Great Boodle, see thy faithful saints adore." 
 
 Soon as each burdened heart itself recalls, 
 
 Heeds its own greed or grief and travail long, 
 
 Low in the dirt each boodle zealot falls 
 
 In posture abject ; supplication strong 
 
 Pours in a passionate tone, with piteous cry, 
 Aside, again, with more of craft or wrong 
 
 Prepense, are those the multitude espy 
 
 Ogling askance to catch great Boodle's separate eye. 
 
 Again the procession forms; in close array 
 
 And long drawn ranks in solemn march and slow 
 
 The zealous votaries face in dire dismay 
 
 The dismal waiting, waiting, ere they go 
 
 Forward with draggled steps to Boodle's throne; 
 To press with reverent lips the proffered toe 
 
 Smeared with unnumbered kisses like their own, 
 
 And swoH'n like Peruvian rocks with cumulate slime un- 
 known. 
 
 Only the faithful worshipers who pass 
 
 The osculation ordeal, and abjure 
 All nobleness are gathered from the mass 
 
 For further sacrifice. Thus more pure 
 In baseness, all unmingled they proceed 
 
 Further in Boodle mysteries, and secure 
 More light and skill in that seducing creed 
 Which builds on Boodle's shrine the throne of lawless e;reed. 
 
II 
 
 But hushi A wondrous light at once illumes 
 The god and all the worshipers below; 
 
 Each heart a more than former hope assumes 
 Bidden profounder m3'steries to know; 
 
 The great god's inner magic stands revealed. 
 
 The charms within more clear and beauteous grow 
 
 The sweet delights which ever have appealed 
 
 To votaries apt and tried, from others all concealed. 
 
 The secret workings of that magic brain 
 Swept by electric ripples swift as light, 
 
 By wavelets crossed which speed in constant train 
 In myriad current eddies which unile 
 
 In slender films that gather as they go; 
 Cohering onl}' in a touch as slight 
 
 As of the sparkling particles which flow 
 
 Along the lightning's flash when at its brightest glow. 
 
 And as they form in each directed line, 
 
 Moved by the flush that governs all their wa}', 
 
 In forms of slender thread at length combine 
 To bear to outer world the magnet play 
 
 Which spreads the spirit charm of mind's control. 
 All in material atom's swift array 
 
 Tokening a living thought which forms the whole, 
 
 Of mold unique perchance: great Boodle's only soul. 
 
 Seen, too, the mingled avenues which lead 
 
 Inward through slender nerve of eye and hand 
 
 And ear and tongue, by atom force decreed 
 To bear impressions' tenderest command 
 
 In currents sentient to the centering brain; 
 
 There re-diffused, transformed, united and 
 
 Fashioned anew in reason's marshaled train 
 
 Speed forth the messengers of happiness or pain. 
 
12 
 
 More wondrous far, each nervic thread that bears 
 Outward the god's decrees expands in light, 
 
 Shaping in word or sign the precious wares 
 Reserved for his elect; each token bright 
 
 Points to the place where plenteous treasure lies; 
 
 Diamonds, and silk, and spice, the long-sought site 
 
 Of cruder gold, the traffic hoard which fhes 
 
 From untaught touch; here each his own heart's choice 
 espies. 
 
 And as they gaze resplendent on the walls 
 
 Thousands of gleaming visions spread to view. 
 
 Where light in myriad hue of crystal falls, 
 Disclosing wide tabernas; ever new 
 
 Crowds throng within, and yield large tribute there 
 To quaff the maddening nectar; lictors true. 
 
 Here brawny aldermen, in jewels rare. 
 
 Smile on the rich man's gifts, but spurn the beggar's prayer. 
 
 Now fades the scene, each picture pales from view, 
 Leaving the frame and outlines; yet appear 
 
 Where each taberna had been, still a few 
 Smiling attendants. Opens to the view 
 
 A pillared hall with cushioned seats around; 
 
 And soon through facile doors assemble here 
 
 The same bold aldermen with pompous sound; 
 
 And shining dollars clink, and hoarse retorts abound. 
 
 For here great Boodle's secret chancel; here 
 
 The creed is formed, the doctrine argued o'er, 
 
 The inspiration drawn with ready ear 
 
 From Boodle's whispers. Here alluring store 
 
 Of franchise, gift and privilege displayed 
 
 Inflames all hearts to higher zeal and more 
 
 Devotion. Now in serried ranks arrayed, 
 
 Old factions fight and fall, new factions siill are made. 
 
13 
 
 By some is shown a white electric beam, 
 
 Brightening each street and alley, bridge and hall, 
 Chasing the gloom by strong and steady gleam 
 
 Which erstwhile shrouded footpads, thieves and all 
 Their like. In vain, a chorus fierce exclaims: 
 
 "'Tis Boodle's light, this villain plan must fall," 
 Then whisperiug low — "We dare not face the blame 
 Of voting 'yes' so soon; we're with you still the same." 
 
 Another faction points with well feigned play 
 
 Of deep concern, to crowded street, and throng 
 
 Chok'ng all exit, transit blocked, delay, 
 Exposure, mire, expostulation strong; 
 
 Then shouting loud: "We need a freer space, 
 An unimpeded means to move along 
 
 An open route, a surer, swifter pace 
 
 To transport anxious crowds, each to his dwelling place." 
 
 With deeper guile is filled the answering cry, — 
 
 "Concern for public safety bids us go 
 "Cautiously here, wherein we can espy 
 
 "A trace of Boodle. Better to be slow 
 "In yielding franchise on monopoly." 
 
 Soft whispering then "'Tis safer to vote 'no;' 
 "Constituents' eyes are watchful, and can see 
 "What motives govern 'yes,' however close we be." 
 
 Beneath the god's outstretched and sheltering hand 
 
 A special chapel fills a deep recess. 
 Screened by a folding curtain. Ready stand 
 
 Attendant priests to welcome all who press 
 For privileged admittance, tolling each 
 
 With word and touch restraining all excess. 
 For here emblazoned scenes are spread, which teach 
 Great Boodle's lessons clear, and all his doctrines preach. 
 
H 
 
 A spacious structure rises; hall and floor 
 
 And rooms unnumbered open to the eye; 
 
 Parlor and vestibule and corridor, 
 
 Pantry and kitchen, well-stocked larder nigh; 
 
 Chapel and lawn, and fuel's ample pile, 
 
 Clothing for work and rest in full supply 
 
 Suggest large outlay and resource, the while 
 
 Inspire the boodle soul with thought of pelf and guile. 
 
 And gathered here a strange and varied crowd, 
 
 Dissimilar in action, tone and speech; 
 Abnormal all; some mute, some ever loud 
 
 And restless; in the lowering eye of each 
 A settled gleam; some wandering listless o'er 
 
 The level sward; again some vainly reach 
 To seize the moon or star, or vacant pore 
 O'er the full page, but thence can draw but scanty store. 
 
 But helpless all to shield their vacant day 
 
 From the strong cunning of a boodle mind. 
 
 Pictured beneath far other scenes display. 
 Visions and persons of a different kind. 
 
 For here a banquet spread with flowers and wine 
 Tells the disposal of the store designed 
 
 For the mind — crippled; the revelers combine 
 
 To shield each others crimes by vows at Boodle's shrine. 
 
 Companion picture; — cots and beds are laid 
 
 In solemn rows, in chambers clean and pure, 
 
 And all in spotless coverings arrayed. 
 
 Enticing health and rest and speedy cure 
 
 To bodies racked by fell disease and pain. 
 And loss of limb, forever to endure 
 
 A life dependent, and that dreary strain 
 
 Which fetters all the maimed, for whom few hopes remain. 
 
15 
 
 Here prescient care abundant means supplies 
 For ease or pain, tor gentle nurture. Here 
 
 Soft hands and hearts with gentle touch and wise, 
 Apply such remedies as best appear. 
 
 And coax back strength with generous food and wine, 
 The kindly smile, the word that casts out fear, 
 
 The strength-transmitting touch, the strong design 
 
 Transfusing mind's control in law of life combine. 
 
 But wine and cheer entice the boodle soul ; 
 
 It longs to seize the tender gifts prepared 
 For suffering and want; sighs to control 
 
 Their sources. Boodle's votaries ensnared 
 To this foul chapel view the scene portrayed 
 
 Of this good cheer and gentle gifts, all shared 
 B}' devotees whose artifice has made 
 Their only home and hope within the temple's shade. 
 
 On the third side a comely priestess stands, 
 
 Nude to the waist and with uncovered limb, 
 Holding a double curtain in her hands, — 
 
 While the full light pours down not soft nor dim- 
 Ready for pay to draw the curtain free. 
 
 Here female forms as true as life and slim, 
 Reclining, dancing, toying merrily; — 
 Beneath, imprinted large, " For those who worship me. " 
 
 "With joyous smile and wide dilated eye 
 
 And arching neck each bends to view the scene. 
 
 While quickened pulse und half emitted sigh 
 Tell the seductive power each siren queen 
 
 And tablet pose enforce upon the soul. 
 
 Slowly the lingering line withdraws, between 
 
 Halting and wavering, 'till at length the whole 
 
 Impassioned crowd is pressed to other priests' control. 
 
i6 
 
 Full in the view of those who here retire, 
 
 In open aisle, where all may freely gaze, 
 
 And all imbibe the tenets which Inspire 
 
 Great Boodle's minions, and impress his praise 
 
 On every tongue, bright life-size tablets glare. 
 The meaning clear, the bold, enticing ways, 
 
 Which proffer wealth to all who seek to know 
 
 How to secure the gifts which from his bounty flow. 
 
 The field of springs. A legislative hall ; 
 
 A restless conclave stirred by sharp debate; 
 Alternate fiery speech and formal call 
 
 Of names, and cries of 'aye' or 'no,' create 
 A sense of pride in freedom's lusty voice; 
 
 The open look, the fearless mien, sedate 
 And forceful, laud the pure and public choice 
 Of champions for the right, and bid its friends rejoice. 
 
 Within the chamber, sternly watching near. 
 
 Sit Boodle's priests, arrayed in vesture gay; 
 
 From them mysterious sentient lines appear 
 To reach debater's ears; their mutual play 
 
 Denotes concerted action. Sympathy 
 
 Thrills through these lines as swells the wordy fray. 
 
 Dull exoteric eyes no sign can see: 
 
 From esoteric souls dispelled all mystery. 
 
 Arrayed around the jealous priests observe 
 Contending reasonings' alternate force. 
 
 And as the argued interests sway and swerve, 
 Infuse new life into the struggle's course, 
 
 As Boodle's secret motive may command. 
 
 And they, long deemed a commonwealth's resource 
 
 To fight for right divine, are seen to stand 
 
 Boodle's obedient slaves, — his gifts within their hand. 
 
17 
 
 Widens the scene. These pictures all effaced 
 A grander dome reveals its towering lines 
 
 High o'er a spreading pile, and proudly traced 
 To crown a nation's capital. Combines 
 
 Supremacy with vastness in its spread. 
 
 Gathered beneath, the power, the high designs 
 
 By countless minor thinkings sourced and fed 
 
 That speak a people's mind, — the living and the dead. 
 
 Assembled here beneath the ample vault 
 
 The thousand plans that guide a nation's way, 
 
 Alternate reasonings perplex, exalt. 
 
 Then guide into fair wisdom's clearer day. 
 
 The purer light of life, the darker shade 
 
 Dimming the clearness of the holier way, 
 
 Enable subtle promptings to be made 
 
 By Boodle's artful priests, all skillful in their trade. 
 
 Vast is the area from hence revealed; 
 
 The mountain's gold, the treasures of Peru; 
 Alaska's ice-bound secrets all unsealed. 
 
 Forest and ranch and isle exposed to view; 
 Indies and oceans spread before the eye; 
 
 More than the fabled tempter ever knew, 
 But to the zealous devotee brought nigh, 
 Who bends to the real devil in these days throned on high. 
 
 Here, too, the votaries in rapture view 
 
 The larger ducts by which the golden stream 
 
 Of Boodle's bounty charms, enriches, too. 
 
 Dazed they behold, as if in mystic dream, 
 
 Sudden the potent vision's spell hath ceased, 
 
 And all with furious voice "To Pharaoh" scream. 
 
 "Presiding host of this quadrennial feast, 
 
 Distributor of heaven, great Boodle's arch high priest." 
 
Hark! dauntless Sphinx, when sternest duty's call 
 Stations the watchtul sabkos at the gate, 
 
 Crushing each column strong and patient wall, 
 
 The struggling throng approach their dreaded fate. 
 
 Swift to the portal, quell the swelling din. 
 
 Beyond— not thine the shame — expectant wait 
 
 Attendant priests, of stature gaunt and thin, 
 
 Tolling a douceur large ere each may pass within. 
 
 Soon in the Pharaoh's presence ranged in line, 
 The suppliants assume an aspect new. 
 
 Each meanest devotee at Boodle's shrine. 
 
 Loudest in vaunting, spreads to Pharaoh's view 
 
 Tokens of prowess dark with human gore; 
 
 Boasts of the vanquished enemies he slew; 
 
 Invents red triumphs in dark days of yore. 
 
 The dungeons he endured, the agonies he bore. 
 
 Yet even here a mild and patient few 
 
 Stand with a placid 63^6 and brow serene: 
 
 Not vaunting, not disdainful; they review 
 
 In modest phrase each storied combat scene. 
 
 Through recent years in peaceful wisdom's way. 
 Not oblivious, not forgiving what hath been: 
 
 Bearing their manly homage fresh to-day. 
 
 Discerning Pharaoh smiles on this elect array. 
 
 Sadly the crestfall'n crowd retires, arid each 
 Decries blind Boodle's impotence in tears; 
 
 Abjures the hated god in florid speech; 
 
 Vows to renounce him in the coming years; 
 
 High pride all humbled and close coffers void. 
 
 Yet when the next quadrennial feast appears, 
 
 Still in their patient ecstasy employed. 
 
 To Boodle's fetid shrine all blindly are decoyed. 
 
19 
 
 Such is the fervid cult of modern days, 
 
 Embracing countless millions in its creed. 
 
 The sycophantic knee, the servile phrase. 
 
 The paeans hymned, the devotees who bleed; 
 
 The pilgrim throng that speed from every shore; 
 The idol formed from every human greed, 
 
 Exhaling steam of sin from every pore; — 
 
 Unpurchaseable Sphinx, guard thou our Pharaoh's door. 
 
 ROBERT H. VICKERS. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 007 031 348 
 
I^Jy^/^ 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 007 031 348 
 
 i