In all thy pristine loveliness, To Nature's altar bound us, Thy handmaids Hope and Charity, Around thine altar's blaze. Unto whose horns in sacrifice, CXIX. SONG. Written in 1799, for a Society whose motto was "Friendship, Love, and Truth." (By James Montgomery.) When "Friendship, Love, and Truth" abound, Among a band of Brothers, The cup of joy goes gaily round, Each shares the bliss of others. Sweet roses grace the thorny way The flowers that shed their leaves to-day On halcyon wings our moments pass, Old Time Lays down his scythe and glass, With ermine beard and forelock grey, Where every star, with modest light, CXX. (By Bro. Robert Morris.) One hour with you, one hour with you, One hour with you, and you, and you, Your eyes with love's own language free, I come when morning skies are bright, I go when evening gilds the west, CXXI. Let's welcome the hour when thus happy we meet, May the light of our Order long gloriously shine, While in kindliest feelings, and harmony sweet, All true Brother Masons for ever combine. Some sage once declared, that a portion of gold In mankind lay concealed, but he ne'er could impart The secret recess, till our Masters of old Proved the ore was Free-masonry, lodged in the heart. Then welcome the hour when thus happy we meet, May the light of our Order long gloriously shine, This bright hidden treasure shone then but in few; The ore even then was unyielding and cold, Then welcome the hour, &c. The Craft thence diffuse the rich, pure golden And now for a toast, fill your glasses, be sure And let each Brother's heart beat in union with me; A bumper, my friends, here's "The health of all poor And distress'd Brother Masons wherever they be !" Then welcome the hour, &c. CXXII. MASONIC AULD LANG SYNE. (By Bro. Dr. Robert Morris, Past G.M. of G.L. of Kentucky.) We do not sigh for pleasures past, Yet let us give one memory To Auld Lang Syne. With Gavel, Trowel, Gauge, we work, Come, join the Chain of Love, and sing Chorus. For Auld Lang Syne, my dear, For Auld Lang Syne; There's none like we can sing the days Of Auld Lang Syne. 'Twas sweet when evening's shadows fell, And taper-lights did shine, Down from the East to hear the words Of Auld Lang Syne. The 'Prentice knocked with Trembling hand, The Master stood and nobly fell, In Auld Lang Syne, With step so true, with form upright, We drew the grand Design; And well we knew "to square the work," Are your glasses charged in the West and South? the Worshipful Master cries; They're charged in the West, they're charged in the South, are the Wardens' prompt replies: Then to our final toast to-night your glasses fairly drain "Happy to meet-sorry to part-happy to meet again, again, Oh! happy to meet again! Oh! happy to meet-sorry to part-happy to meet again, again! Oh! happy to meet again!" The Masons' social Brotherhood around the festive board, Reveals a wealth more precious far than selfish miser's hoard, They freely share the priceless store that generous hearts contain "Happy to meet-sorry to part--happy to meet again." We work like Masons free and true, and when our task is done, A merry song and cheering glass are not unduly won; And only at our farewell pledge is pleasure touched with pain "Happy to meet-sorry to part-happy to meet again!" |