Classic Poem

On hallowed ground those walls are reared;
That roof incloses in
A spot to Masonry endeared,
To Sion's Mount akin;
Since Sion's Temple is bereft
And Tudah mourns his God,
No holier site on earth is left,
Than this our feet have trod.

For here, inspired by truest faith,
Relief a Brother gave, —
Upheld a wanderer unto death
And blessed him with a grave;
Aye, with a grave whose portals closed
To that majestic song,
Which has to the fraternal host
Brought deathless hopes so long.

The Eye D IVINE approved the deed, —
'Tis graven as with steel:
And when the noble act we read
This fond desire we feel, —
That all our mystic work and word
Thus modeled well may be,
And so the Temple of our God
Rise fast and gloriously!