The MASTER's SONG

We sing of MASONS' ancient fame! Lo, eighty thousand CRAFTSMEN rise, Under the MASTERS of great name, More than three thousand just and wise. Employ'd by SOLOMON, the fire, And Gen'ral Master Mason too, As HIRAM was in stately Tyre, Like Salem built by Masons true.

The royal art was then divine, The Craftsmen counsell'd from above, The temple was the grand design; The wond'ring world did all approve. Ingenious men from every place Came to survey the glorious Pile; And when return'd, began to trace And imitate its lofty stile. At length the GRECIANS came to know GEOMETRY, and learn'd the art PYTHAGORAS was rais'd to show, And glorious EUCLID to impart: Great ARCHIMEDES too appear'd, And Carthaginian Masters bright; Till Roman citizens uprear'd The ART with wisdom and delight.

But when proud Aha they had quell'd, And Greece and Egypt overcome, In Architecture they excell'd, And brought the learning all to Rome: Where wise VITRUVIUS, Warden prime Of architects, the art improv'd In great AUGUSTUS' peaceful time, When arts and artists were belov'd.

They brought the knowledge from the East, And as they made the nations yield, They spread it through the North and West, And taught the world the art to build. Witness their Citadels and Tow'rs, To fortify their legions fine, Their Temples, Palaces, and Bow'rs, That spoke the Masons grand design.

Thus mighty eastern kings, and some Of ABRAHAM's race, and monarchs good, Of Egypt, Syria, Greece, and Rome, True ARCHITECTURE understood. No wonder then if Masons join To celebrate those Mason Kings, With solemn note and flowing WINE Whilst every Brother jointly sings.

Who can unfold the royal art, Or shew its secrets in a song? They're safely kept in Mason's heart, And to the ancient Lodge belong!