Illinois Verse/Sachem Calls

by Anna Shattuck Palmer

Sachem Calls

One spring night of the college year
Sachem's warriors proud appear.
After Varsity's band is gone
Still all linger on the lawn
Watching braves in blankets bright
Merge from shadow into light,
Forming into one long line
As the chief makes mystic sign.

Loud and clear is called each name
Lucky sophomore picked for fame!
Proudly he rises to grasp the hand
Held out by each of that war-like band.
Quickly he mounts, as those before,
Reaches the Auditorium door;
Passes he then out of sight
Eager for the secret rite.