[Tune, Ye Lads of true Spirit, pay Courtship to Claret.]

In times of old date, when (as stories relate)

Good men to the gods had admission,

When those who were griev'd might with ease be reliev'd By offering an humble petition;

Some few, who remain'd in their morals unstain'd,

Submissively made application,

To build a retreat, if the gods should think meet,
To shield them from wicked invasion.

Delighted to find there were yet in mankind
Some laudable sentiments planted,

Without hesitation they gave approbation,

And instant their wishes were granted.

Then for artists they sought, and fam'd architects brought,
Who the various employments were skill'd in ;

Each handled his tools, and by science and rules
They straightway proceeded to building.

Fair Wisdom began first to sketch out the plan
By which they were all to be guided;
Each order she made was exactly obey'd,
When the portion of work she divided.

The great corner-stone was by Charity done,
But Strength was the principal builder;

When for mortar they cry'd, 'twas by Friendship supply'd, And Beauty was carver and gilder.

Having long persever'd, a grand temple they rear'd,

A refuge from folly and scandal,

Where all who reside are in Virtue employ'd,

Nor fear the attacks of a Vandal.

But if in their rage they should ever engage
In the attempt, 'twould be always prevented;
The door is so high, 'twould be madness to try,
And the walls are all strongly cemented.

The gods all agreed 'twas an excellent deed,
And, to shew the affection they bore 'em,
A treasure they gave, which the tenants still have,
Secur'd in the sanctum sanctorum.

Thus bless'd from above with a token of love,
Each brother with joy should receive it:
Safe lock'd in his heart, it should never depart,
Till call'd for by Heaven that gave it.

SONG VIII.

Written by the EDITOR, and intended to have been sung at the

Grand Feast,

st, May 11,

1796.

[Tune, Hearts of Oak.]

A SYSTEM more pure ne'er was modell'd by man,
Than that which we boast as the Freemasons' plan;
It unites all the world by the strongest of ties,

And adds to men's bliss, while it makes them more wise.
From the prince to the boor,

Be he rich, be he poor,

A Mason is a brother,

And each will help the other;

So grateful the tie is of Freemasonry.

That hence flow the purest enjoyments of life,
That banish'd from hence are dissension and strife,
That the lessons are good which we practice and teach,
Are truths that our foes vainly strive to impeach.
From the prince, &c.

The greatest of monarchs, the wisest, and best,
Have Masons become, and been true to the test;
And still with Royal sanction our rites are pursu❜d,
Approv'd by the wise, and admir'd by the good
From the prince, &c.

To George our good king much affection we owe;
To his health let libations with due honours flow;
With zeal let 'Our Royal Grand Master' be giv'n,
And the blessings of Masons be sanction'd by Heav'n,
From the prince, &c.

As the task were too tedious the deeds to record
Of the great and the good that our annals afford;
In a word, let us vouch for this truth to mankind,

There's no temple more pure than the true Mason's mind.
From the prince, &c.

SONG IX.

[Tune, Goddess of Ease.]

GENIUS of Masonry, descend,

And with thee bring thy spotless train;
Constant our sacred rites attend,

While we adore thy peaceful reign;

Bring with thee Virtue, brightest maid,

Bring Love, bring Truth, bring Friendship here;

While social Mirth shall lend her aid,

To smooth the wrinkled brow of care.

Come, Charity, with goodness crown'd,
Encircled in thy heavenly robe,
Diffuse thy blessings all around,
To every corner of the globe.

See where she comes, with power to bless,
With open hand and tender heart,
Which wounded feels at man's distress,

And bleeds at every human smart.

Envy may every ill devise,

And falsehood be thy deadliest foe, Thou, Friendship, still shall towering rise, And sink thine adversaries low: Thy well-built pile shall long endure, Through rolling years preserve its prime, Upon a rock it stands secure,

And braves the rude assaults of time.

Ye happy few, who here extend,
In perfect lines from east to west,
With fervent zeal the Lodge defend,
And lock its secrets in each breast:
Since ye are met upon the square,
Bid love and friendship jointly reign;
Be peace and harmony your care,
Nor break the adamantine chain.

Behold the planets how they move,
Yet keep due order as they run;
Then imitate the stars above,

And shine resplendent as the sun :
That future Masons, when they meet,
May all our glorious deeds rehearse,
And say, their fathers were so great,
That they adorn'd the universe.

SONG X.

[Tune, Arno's Vale.]

WHEN my divine Althæa's charms
No more shall kindle soft alarms,
And the keen lightning of her eye
Passes unfelt, unheeded by ;
When Moral Beauty's heavenly form
Shall cease the frozen soul to warm ;
When manners thus corrupt we see,
Farewell the sweets of Masonry!

When Science shall withdraw her light,
And Error spread a Gothic night;
When Pity's sacred source is dry,
No pearly drop to melt the eye;
When Truth shall hide her blushing head,
And famish'd Virtue beg her bread;
When manners thus corrupt we see,
Farewell the sweets of Masonry!

But while the fair transport our sight,
And Moral Beauty's charms delight;
While Science lifts her torch on high,
And Pity shows the melting eye;
While Truth maintains despotic power,
And Virtue charms without a dower;
While manners thus unstain'd we see,
All hail, the sweets of Masonry!

SONG XI.

THE DEPUTY GRAND MASTER'S SONG.

ON, on, my dear Brethren, pursue your great lecture,
Refine on the precepts of old architecture;

High honour to Masons the Craft daily brings,
Who are brothers of princes, and fellows of kings.

We drove the rude Vandals and Goths off the stage,
Reviving the art of Augustus' fam❜d age;

And Vespasian destroy'd the vast temple in vain,
Since so many now rise where our principles reign.

The noble five orders, compos'd with such art,
Will amaze the fix'd eye, and engage the whole heart;
Proportion's sweet harmony gracing the whole,
Gives our work, like the glorious creation, a soul.

Then Master and Brethren, preserve your great name,
This Lodge so majestic will purchase you fame;
Rever'd it shall stand till all nature expire,
And its glories ne'er fade till the world is on fire.

See, see, behold here, what rewards all our toil,
Invigorates genius, and bids nature smile:

To our noble Grand Master let bumpers be crown'd,
To all Masons a bumper, so let it go round.

Again, my lov'd brethren, again let it pass,
Our ancient firm union cements with the glass :
And all the contention 'mong Masons shall be,
Who better can work, or who better agree.

SONG XII.

A FELLOW-CRAFT'S SONG. [Tuae, Rule, Britannia.]

HAIL, Masonry, thou Craft divine!

Glory of earth, from heav'n reveal'd;
Which doth with jewels precious shine,
From all but Masons' eyes conceal'd:
Thy praises due, who can rehearse,
In nervous prose, or flowing verse?

All craftsmen true distinguish'd are ;
Our code all other laws excels:
And what's in knowledge choice and rare,
Within our breasts securely dwells.

The silent breast, the faithful heart,
Preserve the secrets of the art.

From scorching heat and piercing cold,
From beasts, whose roar the forest rends;
From the assaults of warriors bold,
The Mason's art mankind defends.
Be to this art due honour paid,

From which mankind receives such aid.

Ensigns of state that feed our pride,
Distinctions troublesome and vain,
By Masons true are laid aside-
Art's free-born sons such toys disdain ;
Ennobled by the name they bear,
Distinguish'd by the badge they wear.

Sweet fellowship, from envy free,
Friendly converse of brotherhood;
The Lodge's lasting cement be,
Which has for ages firmly stood.

A Lodge thus built, for ages past
Has lasted, and shall ever last.

Then let us celebrate the praise
Of all who have enrich'd the art;
Let gratitude our voices raise,
And each true Brother bear a part.

Let cheerful strains their fame resound,
And living Masons' healths go round.