Classic Poem

'Tis said that in the glittering Pleiades,
Now shining only six resplendent stars, —
There once were seven — one sweet astral's fled.

In every Lodge there should be virtues seven;
First Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, and then
Great Temperance, — lying at the base of all, —
And Fortitude and Prudence manifest,
And Justice, noblest attribute of God.

Brethren of Pleiades, is aught of these
Lacking of you? Is any dearth of Love
Or generous Relief, or Truth divine?
Say, is your glittering cluster incomplete?
In bonds of Temperance your workmen shine,
Bold unto Fortitude, they do not quail;
In laws of Prudence they are deeply versed;
And none deny to Justice her high claim.

When at the midnight hour you view the sky,
Radiant with lamps lit by the Hand divine,
Single your own, the pictured Pleiades!
And as you mourn the one bright astral fled,
And think how brighter were the former seven,
Rejoice that in your brotherly ranks there shines
The unbroken cluster.