Classic Poem

From Scotland's bard you have your honored name, —
Master of song, bard of the social lyre;
Freemasonry has spread, world-wide, his fame,
And Mason poets kindle at his fire.

He was the interpreter of bird and bee;
The heather blossomed as he moved along;
The streamlets down their beds rolled pleasantly,
While Burns attuned their ripplings unto song.

And Masonry, — oh, who has sung like him?
Within his poesy our symbols glow;
The spirit warms, the tender eye grows dim,
As we rehearse his " heart-warm, fond adieu. "

Well named, then, Craftsmen! sound it proudly forth,
Kindle his genial flame within your band;
Like him, prize man for his intrinsic worth,
And let the heart be wedded to the hand!