A Welcome + 

Because you call yourself Knights Templars, and + 

There’s neither Knight nor Temple in the land⁠— + 

Because you thus by vain pretense degrade + 

To paltry purposes traditions grand⁠— + 

Because to cheat the ignorant you say + 

The thing that’s not, elated still to sway + 

The crass credulity of gaping fools + 

And women by fantastical display⁠— + 

Because no sacred fires did ever warm + 

Your hearts, high knightly service to perform⁠— + 

A woman’s breast or coffer of a man + 

The only citadel you dare to storm⁠— + 

Because while railing still at lord and peer, + 

At pomp and fuss-and-feathers while you jeer, + 

Each member of your order tries to graft + 

A peacock’s tail upon his barren rear⁠— + 

Because that all these things are thus and so, + 

I bid you welcome to our city. Lo! + 

You’re free to come, and free to stay, and free, + 

As soon as it shall please you, sirs⁠—to go. + 