Classic Poem

Come, cease from your labors,
Ye white-aproned neighbors,
And answer my words —
Tells us who are ye?
" We are friends of humanity,
Hating profanity,
Spurning all vanity,
C HILDREN OF Peace —
Men who can feel
All our own need of kindness,
And bless the G REAT G OD ,
Who hath lightened our blindness. "

Tell us, what do ye?
" By precept, example,
We're building a temple,
Fair, lofty and ample,
For H IM whom we serve —
Following the plans
That our M ASTER doth give us,
And amply repaid
When His servants receive us. "

And what do you work with?
" The Gauge and the Gavel,
The Plumb, Square, and Level,
And then as we travel,
The Trowel we hold —
Skillfully these,
At first we're inducted —
Obediently these,
In the way we're instructed. "

Your timbers, what are they?
" The blocks that we quarry,
And timbers so heavy,
Our hands shape and carry,
Those ashlars are MEN ;
Rough ashlars they are —
But hewed, marked and garnished,
By precepts divine,
Our task will be finished. "

Your resting, when is it?
" We look for no leisure,
We sigh for no pleasure,
We covet no treasure,
Till S ATURDAY NIGHT —
Wages and joys,
And a rest without breaking,
Wait for us then,
In the home that we're seeking. "