Classic Poem

Who wears the Square upon his breast
Does in the face of God attest, —
And in the face of man, —
That all his actions will compare
With the divine, the unerring Square ,
That squares great Virtue's plan.
And he erects his edifice
By this design, and this , and this .
Who wears the L EVEL says that pride
Does not within his soul abide,
Nor foolish vanity;
That man has but a common doom,
And from the cradle to the tomb
An equal destiny
And he erects his edifice
By this design, and this , and this .

Who wears the P LUMB , behold how true
His words and walk! and could we view
The chambers of his soul,
Each hidden thought, so pure and good,
By the stern line of rectitude
Points up to Heaven's goal;
And he erects his edifice
By this design, and this , and this .

Who wears the G, — that mark divine, —
Whose very sight should banish sin,
Has faith in God alone;
His Father, Maker, Friend, he knows;
He vows and pays to God his vows
Before the eternal throne;
And he erects his edifice
By this design, and this , and this .

Thus life and beauty come to view
In each design our fathers drew,
So glorious and sublime;
Each breathes an odor from the bloom
Of gardens bright beyond the tomb,
Beyond the flight of time,
And bids us ever build on this ,
The walls of God's own edifice.