Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Poetry.
POETRY .
A MASONIC PROLOGUE , DELIVERED JAN . 14 , 1 / 74 .
A S lately , Brethren , from the Lodge I came , » i Warm'd with our Royal Order ' s purest flame—* Absorb'd in thought—before my ravish'd eyes I saw the Genius MASONRY arise : A curious hieroglyphic robe he wore , And in his hand the Sacred Volume bore ; On one side was divine ASTR-JEA plac'd ,
And soft-ey'd CHARITY the other grac'd ; HUMANITY , the geu ' ral friend , was there , And PITY , dropping the pathetic tear ; There , too ; was ORDER ;—there , with rosy mien , Blithe TEMP ' RAKCE shone , and white-rob'd TRUTH was seen There , with a key suspended to his breast , SILENCE appear ' ci—his lips his fingers prest :
With these , soft warbling an instructive song , Sweet Music , gaily smiling , tripp'd along . Wild Laughter , clam ' rous Noise , and Mirth ill-bred , The brood of Folly , at his presence , fled . The Genius spoke , — < My Son , observe my train , Which , of my Order , dift ' rent parts explain . Look up—Behold the bright ASTR / EA there ,
She will direct thee how to use the Square ; Pity will bid thee grieve , with those who grieve , Whilst Charity will prompt thee to relieve ; Will prompt thee every comfort to bestow , And draw the arrow from the breast of Woe : Humanity will lead to Honour ' s goal , Give the large thought , and form the gen ' rous soul ;
Will bid thee thy Fraternal Love expand To Virtue of all faiths—and ev ^ ry land . Order will kindly teach her laws of peace , ' Which discord stop , and social joys increase : Temp ' rance instruct thee all excess t' avoid , By which fair fame is lost , and health deslroy'd ; Truth warn thee ne ' er to use perfidious art , And bid thy tongue be rooted in thy heart : Silence direct thee never to disclose
Whate ' er thy Brethren in thy breast repose : For thee shall Music strike th' harmonious lyre , And , whilst she charms thy ear , morality inspire These all observe ;—and let thy conduct shew What real blessings I on man bestow . ' He said , and disappeared : —and Oh ! may we , Who ivear this honour'd Badge , accepted , free , To ev ' ry Grace and Virtue Temples raise , And b y our useful works our Order praise .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Poetry.
POETRY .
A MASONIC PROLOGUE , DELIVERED JAN . 14 , 1 / 74 .
A S lately , Brethren , from the Lodge I came , » i Warm'd with our Royal Order ' s purest flame—* Absorb'd in thought—before my ravish'd eyes I saw the Genius MASONRY arise : A curious hieroglyphic robe he wore , And in his hand the Sacred Volume bore ; On one side was divine ASTR-JEA plac'd ,
And soft-ey'd CHARITY the other grac'd ; HUMANITY , the geu ' ral friend , was there , And PITY , dropping the pathetic tear ; There , too ; was ORDER ;—there , with rosy mien , Blithe TEMP ' RAKCE shone , and white-rob'd TRUTH was seen There , with a key suspended to his breast , SILENCE appear ' ci—his lips his fingers prest :
With these , soft warbling an instructive song , Sweet Music , gaily smiling , tripp'd along . Wild Laughter , clam ' rous Noise , and Mirth ill-bred , The brood of Folly , at his presence , fled . The Genius spoke , — < My Son , observe my train , Which , of my Order , dift ' rent parts explain . Look up—Behold the bright ASTR / EA there ,
She will direct thee how to use the Square ; Pity will bid thee grieve , with those who grieve , Whilst Charity will prompt thee to relieve ; Will prompt thee every comfort to bestow , And draw the arrow from the breast of Woe : Humanity will lead to Honour ' s goal , Give the large thought , and form the gen ' rous soul ;
Will bid thee thy Fraternal Love expand To Virtue of all faiths—and ev ^ ry land . Order will kindly teach her laws of peace , ' Which discord stop , and social joys increase : Temp ' rance instruct thee all excess t' avoid , By which fair fame is lost , and health deslroy'd ; Truth warn thee ne ' er to use perfidious art , And bid thy tongue be rooted in thy heart : Silence direct thee never to disclose
Whate ' er thy Brethren in thy breast repose : For thee shall Music strike th' harmonious lyre , And , whilst she charms thy ear , morality inspire These all observe ;—and let thy conduct shew What real blessings I on man bestow . ' He said , and disappeared : —and Oh ! may we , Who ivear this honour'd Badge , accepted , free , To ev ' ry Grace and Virtue Temples raise , And b y our useful works our Order praise .