Classic Poem

They come from many a pleasant home —
To do the Ancient Work they come,
With cheerful hearts and light;
They leave the world without, apace,
And gathering here in secret place,
They spend the social night;
They earn the meed of honest toil,
Wages of Corn , and Wine , and O IL .

Upon the sacred Altar lies,
Ah, many a precious sacrifice
Made by these working men:
The passions curbed, the lusts restrained,
And hands with human gore unstained,
And hearts from envy clean;
They earn the meed of honest toil,
Wages of Corn , and Wine , and O IL .

They do the deeds THEIR M ASTER did;
The naked clothe, the hungry feed —
They warm the shivering poor;
They wipe from fevered eyes the tear;
A Brother's joys and griefs they share,
As O NE has done before;
They earn the meed of honest toil,
Wages of Corn , and Wine , and O IL .

Show them how Masons , Masons know,
The land of strangers journeying through;
Show them now Masons love,
And let admiring spirits see
How reaches Masons' charity
From earth to Heaven above;
Give them the meed of honest toil,
Wages of Corn , and Wine , and O IL .

Then will each Brother's tongue declare
How bounteous his wages are,
And Peace will reign within;
Your walls with skillful hands will grow,
And coming generations know
Your Temple is D IVINE ;
Then give the meed of honest toil,
Wages of Corn , and Wine , and O IL .

Yes, pay these men their just desert,
Let none dissatisfied depart,
But give them full reward;
Give L IGHT , that longing eyes may see;
Give T RUTH , that doth from error free:
Give them to know the L ORD !
Give them the meed of honest toil,
Wages of Corn , and Wine , and O IL .