Classic Poem

Farewell ! Farewell!
Like the music of a bell
Floating downward to the dell—
Downward from some Alpine height,
While the sunset-embers bright,
Fade upon the hearth of night;
So my spirit, voiceless—breathless,—
Indestructible and deathless,
From the heights of Life Elysian gives to Earth my parting song;
Downward through the star-lit spaces,
Unto Earth's most lowly places,
Like the sun-born strains of Memnon, let the music float along,
With a wild and wayward rhythm, with a movement deep and strong.
“Come up higher!” cry the angels.—This must be my parting song.

Earth! O Earth! thou art my Mother.
Mortal man! thou art my Brother.
We have shared a mutual sorrow, we have known a common birth;
Yet with all my soul's endeavor,
I will sunder, and forever,
Every tie of human passion that can bind my soul to Earth—
Every slavish tie that binds me to the things of little worth.
“Come up higher!” cry the angels: “come! and bid farewell to Earth.”

I would bear a love Platonic to the souls in earthly life;
I would give a sign Masonic to the heroes in the strife;
I have been their fellow-craftsman, bound apprentice to that Art,
Whereby Life, that cunning draughtsman, builds his temple in the heart.
But with Earth no longer mated, I have passed the First Degree;
I have been initiated to the second mystery.
O, its high and holy meaning not one soul shall fail to see!
Now, with loftiest aspirations, onward through the worlds I march,
Through the countless constellations, upward to the Royal Arch.
“Come up higher!” cry the angels: “come up to the Royal Arch.”