Classic Poem

WE MEET upon the Level and we part upon the Square,
What words of precious meaning those words Masonic are!
Come, let us contemplate them! They are worthy of a tho't;
In the very walls of Masonry the sentiment is wrought!

We meet upon the Level, though from every station come
The rich man from his palace and the poor man from his home.
For the rich must leave their wealth and state outside the Mason's door,
And the poor man finds his best respect upon the Checkered Floor.

We act upon the Plumb,—'tis the order of our Guide—
We walk upright in every way and lean to neither side;
Th' All-Seeing Eye that reads our hearts doth bear us witness true,
That we still try to honor God and give each man his due.

We part upon the Square, for the word must have its due,
We mingle with the multitude, a faithful band and true,
But the influence of our gatherings in Masonry is green,
And we long upon the Level to renew the happy scene.

There is a world where all are equal, we are hurrying to it fast,
We shall meet upon the Level when the Gates of Death are past;
We shall stand before the Orient and our Master will be there,
To try the blocks we offer with His own unerring square.

We shall meet upon the Level there, but never thence depart,
There's a Mansion, 'tis all ready for each trusting, faithful heart,
There's a Mansion and a welcome and a multitude is there;
Who have met upon the Level and been tried upon the Square.

Let us meet upon the Level then while laboring patient here,
Let us meet and let us labor though the labor be severe;
Already in the western sky the signs bid us prepare
To gather up our working tools and part upon the Square.

Hands round! Ye faithful brotherhood, the bright fraternal chain,
We part upon the Square below and meet in Heaven again;
And the words of precious meaning, those words Masonic are:
“We meet upon the Level and we part upon the Square.”