Remember the words of Falernus,
“The tradition needs man
as much as man needs the tradition.”
Therefore, as is only right,
on this day appointed for sacred feasting,
on which all conflict must cease,
and no business may be conducted,
we accord to Bacchus due respect
with songs our fathers sang
and trays of baked offerings
in the shape of virile members,
and we pray for our sons:
Oh Father Liber,
who leads souls through the Labyrinth,
guide our sons into manhood,
gentle tyrant of the Evian cry,
and make them worthy to wear the purple stripe
by testing their hearts in wine, and fury,
and trials that forge strong characters.