When the Sun from the East

When the Sun from the East first salutes mortal eyes, And the sky-lark melodiously bids us arise, With our hearts full of joy we the summons obey, Strait repair to our work, and to moisten our clay.

In the west stands a column bold noble and grand, Whose foundation was laid by our Great Master's hand, Each joint is cemented, and long shall endure, Th' ingredients a compound of virtue so pure.

On the tressel behold our Great Architect's plan, Its symbolic meaning no cowan can scag, Not a model on earth is so lovely to view, Each line is so perfect, each angle so true.

Fellow crafts and apprentices lay down your tools, Withdraw for awhile, show respect to our rules; We shall call you again, when our Master commands, For there's none but true workmen this job understands.

To order's the word, come for work let's prepare, Some handle the level, some handle the square; When our master commands then obedience we show, And we ne'er take offence when he gives us a blow.

Here's a pillar unfinish'd, come all lend a hand, To the East let us bring it, for there it must stand; A mystical term on the same let's indent, For this is our Grand Master's will and intent.

The shaft of a pillar extend on a line, Until the pedestal unto it we join; Then firmly cement it, and raise it again, Bring it back to the West, and there let it remain.

Five regular angles the same must contain, Which each true hearted brother alone can explain; But they say its high twelve, so the curtain I'll draw For it does not become me to tell all I saw.