A Pledge's Oath

This bit of verse was handed down from pledge class to pledge class by the ever helpul Brothers of ODPhi. A pledge was require to recite the verse, at great speed, whenever it was requested of him. He was also required to know the full meaning of any part, at any time. God help him if he could not.

A Pledge's Oath
Sir, This sack which on my shoulders I bear,
hath the stench of a harlot's lair.
It smells, it talks, it hears, it sees,
and yet it brings nought avail to me.
The exit of my sighs and prattle,
doth sound alike some baying cattle.
The azure glance of my scabbed eyes,
reflects the loathsome nemesis of pernicious cries.
My ruminations have the flavor of some unfinished phrase,
I swear I'm in a constant daze.
In other words, I am very, very dumb, Sir.