Classic Poem

Brothers, met from many a nation,
Far away from home,
Men of every rank and station,
Round this altar come.
Bring your hearts, so full of feeling;
Join your hands, so true;
Swear, ye sons of truth and honor,
Naught shall sever you.

CHORUS .

War's dark cloud will vanish, —
Joy to East and W EST ,
Oh, Brothers!
Though the land is full of weeping,
Masons, Masons still are blest.

Come, forgetting every sorrow,
L EVEL bring, and Square ;
Leave all trouble to to-morrow;
Each the C OMPASS bear;
Pass a T ROWEL o'er the discord;
Wear the L AMBSKIN white;
Brothers, one more happy meeting
In our Lodge to-night.

In the circle here extended,
Shadowy forms appear;
With our loving spirits blended,
Dead ones, ah, how dear!
Dead on many a field of battle
Lost to friends and home,
Yet in Mason's love surviving,
Round this altar come.

When to distant homes returning,
We shall say farewell,
And shall cease the tender yearning,
Now our bosoms feel,
Prattling lips and sweet caresses,
All the joys of home,
Will bring back the loving circle,
Round this altar come.