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A CHOICE COLLECTION OF MASONS SONGS. To which is added, SOLOMON'S TEMPLE, AN ORATORIO, As performed at the PHILHARMONIC-ROOM, in Dublin, For the Benefit of sick and distressed FREE-MASONS.

PROVIDENCE: Printed and Sold by Brother JOHN CARTER A. L. 5779. A. D. 1779.

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MASONS SONGS.

I. The Master 's Song, by Dr. ANDERSON.

1.
WE sing of Masons antient fame!
Lo, eighty thousand craftsmen rise
Under the Masters of great name,
More than three thousand just and wise.
Employ'd by SOLOMON, the Sire,
And gen'ral Master Mason too,
As HIRAM was in stately Tyre,
Like Salem built by Masons true.
2.
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 style.
3.
At length the Grecians came to know
Geometry, and learn'd the art
Pythagoras was rais'd to show,
And glorious Euclid to impart:
[Page 4]Great Archimedes too appear'd,
And Carthagenian Masters bright;
Till Roman citizens uprear'd
The art, with wisdom and delight.
4.
But when proud Asia 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.
5.
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.
6.
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.
CHORUS.
Who can unfold the Royal art,
Or shew its secrets in a song?
[Page]They're safely kept in Mason's heart,
And to the antient Lodge belong!

II. The Warden's Song, by the same Author

FROM henceforth ever sing
Fam'd SOLOMON, the King;
With poetry and music sweet,
Resound the harmony compleat;
And with geometry in skilful hand,
Due homage pay,
Without delay,
To noble BEAUFORT, now our Master Grand▪
He rules the free-born sons of art,
By love and friendship, hand and heart.
Chorus of the Warden's Song.
Who can rehearse the praise,
In soft poetic lays,
Or solid prose, of Masons true,
Whose art transcends the common view?
Their secrets ne'er to strangers yet expos'd,
Preserv'd shall be,
By Masons Free,
And only to the antient Lodge disclos'd;
Because they're kept in Mason's heart,
By Brethren of the Royal art.
To the Grand Master.

III. The FELLOW CRAFT's Song

1.
HAIL Masonry! thou craft divine!
Glory of earth! from heaven reveal'd!
Which doth with jewels precious shine,
From all but Masons eyes conceal'd.
CHORUS.
Thy praises due who can rehearse,
In nervous prose, or flowing verse?
[Page 6]
2.
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.
CHORUS.
Be to this art due honor paid,
From which mankind receives such aid.
3.
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.
CHORUS.
Ennobled by the name they bear,
Distinguish'd by the badge they wear.
4.
Sweet fellowship from envy free,
Social converse of wise and good,
The Lodge's lasting cement be,
Which has for ages firmly stood.
CHORUS.
A Lodge thus built, for ages past
Has lasted, and shall ever last.
5.
Then in our songs be justice done
To those who have enrich'd the art;
From ADAM to great BEAUFORT down,
And let each Brother bear a part.
CHORUS.
Let noble Masons healths go round,
Their praise in lofty Lodge resound.
[Page 7]

IV. The Enter'd 'PRENTICE's Song.

By Brother Matthew Birkhead, deceased.

To be sung after grave Business is over.

COME let us prepare,
We Brothers that are
Assembled on merry occasion;
Let's drink, laugh and sing,
Our wine has a spring,
Here's a health to an Accepted Mason.
All charg'd.
The world is in pain
Our secrets to gain,
And still let them wonder and gaze on;
Till they're brought to light,
They'll ne'er know the right
Word or sign of an Accepted Mason.
'Tis this, and 'tis that,
They cannot tell what,
Why so many great men of the nation
Should aprons put on,
To make themselves one
With a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Antiquity's pride
We have on our side,
Which maketh men just in their station:
There's nought but what's good
To be understood
By a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Great Kings, Dukes and Lords,
Have laid by their swords,
Our Myst'ry to put a good grace on;
[Page 8]And ne'er been asham'd
To hear themselves nam'd
With a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Still firm to our trust,
In friendship we're just,
Our actions we guide by our reason:
By observing this rule,
The passions move cool
Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.
All idle debate
About church or state,
The springs of impiety and treason,
Those raisers of strife
Ne'er ruffle the life
Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.
We're true and sincere,
And just to the fair,
They'll trust us on any occasion.
No mortal can more
The ladies adore
Than a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Then join hand in hand,
By each Brother firm stand,
Let's be merry, and put a bright face on;
What mortal can boast
So noble a toast
As a Free and an Accepted Mason?
CHORUS.
No mortal can boast
So noble a toast
As a Free and an Accepted Mason,
[Page 9]

V. The Deputy GRAND MASTER'S Song.
N. B. Every two last lines of each verse is the chorus.

1.
ON, on, my dear Brethren, pursue your great lecture,
And refine on the rules of old architecture:
High honor to Masons the Craft daily brings,
To those Brothers of Princes, and fellows of Kings.
2.
We drove the rude Vandals and Goths off the stage,
Reviving the arts of AGUSTUS' fam'd age▪
And Vespasian destroy'd the vast temple in vain,
Since so many now rise in great ATHOL's mild reign,
3.
The noble five orders, compos'd with such art,
Will amaze the fixt eye, and engage the whole heart;
Proportion's sweet harmony gracing the whole,
Gives our work, like the glorious creation, a soul.
4.
Then, Master and Brethren, preserve your great name,
This Lodge so majestic will purchase you same;
Rever'd it shall stand till all nature expire,
And its glories ne'er fade till the world is on fire.
5.
See, see, behold here, what rewards all our toil,
Inspires our genius, and bids labour smile:
To our noble Grand Master let a bumper be crown'd,
To all Masons a bumper, so let it go round.
6.
Again, my lov'd Brethren, again let it pass,
Our antient firm union cements with the glass;
And all the contention 'mongst Masons shall be,
Who better can work, or who better agree.
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VI. The TREASURER's Song
N. B. The two last lines of each verse is the chorus.

GRANT me, kind heaven, what I request,
In Masonry let me be blest;
Direct me to that happy place,
Where friendship smiles in every face,
Where freedom and sweet innocence
Enlarge the mind, and chear the sense.
Where scepter'd reason, from her throne,
Surveys the Lodge, and make us one;
And harmony's delightful sway
For ever sheds ambrosial day;
Where we blest Eden's pleasures taste,
Whilst balmy joys are our repast.
No prying eye can view us here,
No fool or knave disturb our cheer:
Our well-form'd laws set mankind free,
And give relief to misery;
The poor, oppress'd with woe and grief,
Gain from our bounteous hands relief.
Our Lodge the social virtues grace,
And wisdom's rules we fondly trace:
Whole nature, open to our view,
Points out the paths we should pursue.
Let us subsist in lasting peace,
And may our happiness increase.

SONG VII.
N. B. The two last lines of each verse is the chorus.

BY Masons art th' aspiring domes
In stately columns shall arise:
All climates are their native homes,
Their learned actions reach the skies,
Heroes and Kings revere their name,
While poets sing their lasting fame.
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Great, Noble, Gen'rous, Good and Brave,
Are titles they most justly claim;
Their deeds shall live beyond the grave,
Which those unborn shall loud proclaim.
Time shall their glorious acts enrol,
While love and friendship charm the soul.
To the lasting honor of Free-Masons.

SONG VIII.

A MASON's daughter fair and young,
The pride of all the virgin throng,
Thus to her lover said;
Though, Damon, I your flame approve,
Your actions praise, your person love,
Yet still I'll live a maid.
None shall untie my virgin zone,
But one to whom the secret's known
Of fam'd Free-Masonry;
In which the great and good combine
To raise, with generous design,
Man to felicity.
The Lodge excludes the fop and fool,
The plodding knave, and party tool,
That liberty would sell;
The noble, faithful, and the brave,
No golden charms can e'er deceive,
In slavery to dwell.
This said, he bow'd, and went his way;
Apply'd, was made without delay,
Return'd to her again:
The fair one granted his request,
Connubial joys their days have blest,
And may they e'er remain.
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SONG IX.

ONCE I was blind, and could not see,
And all was dark me round,
But Providence provided me,
And soon a friend I found;
Thro' hidden paths my friend me led,
Such paths as babblers ne'er shall tread.
With a Fa, la, la, la, la, la.
He took all stumbling blocks away,
That I might walk secure,
And brought me long ere break of day
To Sol's bright temple door,
Where we both admittance found,
By help of magic spell and sound.
With a Fa, la, &c.
The curber of my rash attempt
Did then my breast alarm,
And hinted I was not exempt,
Nor free from double harm;
Which put a stop to rising pride,
And made me trust more to my guide.
With a Fa, la, &c.
With sober pace I then was led,
And brought to Sol's bright throne;
Where I was oblig'd to stop,
Till I myself made known;
With hideous noise I round was brought,
For to obtain that which I sought.
With a Fa, la, &c.
In humble posture, and due form,
I list'ned with good will;
Instead of mighty noise and storm,
All then was calm and still.
[Page 13]Such charming sounds I then did hear,
As quite dispell'd all doubts and fear.
With a Fa, la, &c.
The guardian of this mystic charm,
In shining jewels drest,
Said, that I need to fear no harm,
If faithful was my breast;
For though to rogues he was severe,
No harm an honest man need fear.
With a Fa, la, &c.
Bright wisdom, from his awful throne,
Bid darkness to withdraw;
No sooner said but it was done,
And then—great things I saw;
But what they were—I now won't tell,
They safely in my breast shall dwell.
With a Fa, la, &c.
Then round and round me he did tie
An antient noble charm,
Which future darkness will defy,
And ward off cowans harm;
With instruments in number three,
To learn the art GEOMETRY.
With a Fa, la, la, la, la.

SONG X.

ASSEMBLED and tyl'd, let us social agree
With the Mason that sits on a throne,
For he charges a glass, and round let it pass,
To celebrate antient St. John.
Tho' babblers may prattle in shewing their spleen,
Their spite we compare to the drone,
For in sweet harmony in love we'll agree,
To celebrate antient St. John.
[Page 14]
The world is in pain our secrets to gain,
In ignorance let them think on,
For in sweet harmony in love we'll agree,
To celebrate antient St. John.
With toast after toast let us drink, laugh and sing,
Rememb'ring the great WASHINGTON,
For his actions are rare, by the compass and square,
Thus celebrate antient St. John.
Then join hand in hand, in a body firm stand,
Our cares and our troubles be gone,
Let us love, laugh and sing, and WASHINGTON bring,
To celebrate antient St. John.

SONG XI.

A MASON one time
Was cast for a crime,
Which malice had put a bad face on,
And then, without thought,
To a gibbet was brought
The Free and the Accepted Mason.
And then without thought, &c.
And when he came there,
He put up his prayer
For heaven to pity his case on!
His King he espy'd,
Who in progress did ride,
Was a Free and an Accepted Mason.
His King he espy'd, &c.
Then out a sign flew,
Which the Grand Master knew,
Who rode up to know the occasion,
Ask'd who had condemn'd
[Page 15]So worthy a friend
As a Free and an Accepted Mason.
Ask'd who had condemn'd, &c.
He tried the cause,
And found out the flaws,
According to justice and reason:
He tuck'd up the judge,
And all that bore grudge
To the Free and the Accepted Mason.
He tuck'd up the judge, &c.
Though ignorant pride
Our secrets deride,
Or foolish conjectures occasion,
They ne'er shall divine
The word or the sign
Of a Free and an Accepted Mason.
They ne'er shall divine, &c.
May honor and honesty ever distinguish the Brethren.

XII. The SWORD-BEARER's Song
N. B. The two last lines of each verse is the chorus

TO all who Masonry despise,
This counsel I bestow:
Don't ridicule, if you are wise,
A secret you don't know.
Yourselves you banter, but not it,
You shew your spleen, but not your wit.
With a Fa, la, la, la.
Inspiring virtue by our rules,
And in ourselves secure,
We have compassion for those fools,
Who think our acts impure:
We know from ignorance proceeds
Such mean opinion of our deeds.
With a Fa, la, &c.
[Page 16]
If union and sincerity
Have a pretence to please,
We Brothers of Freemasonry
Lay a just claim to these.
To state-disputes we ne'er give birth,
Our motto friendship is, and mirth.
With a Fa, la, &c.
Then let us laugh, since we've impos'd
On those who make a pother,
And cry the secret is disclos'd
By some false-hearted Brother:
The mighty secret's gain'd, they boast,
From post-boy and from flying-post.
With a Fa, la, la, la.
To all Masters and Wardens of regular Lodges.

SONG XIII.

YE thrice happy few,
Whose hearts have been true,
In concord and unity sound;
Let us sing and rejoice,
And unite ev'ry voice,
To send the gay chorus around.
CHORUS.
Like pillars we stand,
An immoveable band,
Cemented by pow'r from above;
Then freely let pass the generous glass
To Masonry, friendship and love.
The Grand Architect,
Whose word did erect
Eternity, measure, and space,
First laid the fair plan
Whereon we began,
The cement of friendship and peace.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.
[Page 17]
Whose firmness of hearts
Fair treasure of arts,
To the eye of the vulgar unknown;
Whose lustre can beam
New dignity and fame
To the pulpit, the bar and the throne.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.
The great David's son,
Unmatch'd SOLOMON,
As recorded in sacred page,
Through Masonry became
The first fav'rite of fame,
The wonder and pride of his age.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.
Indissoluble bands
Our hearts and our hands
In social benevolence bind;
For true to his cause,
By immutable laws,
A Mason's a friend to mankind.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.
Let joy fly around,
And peace, olive-bound,
Preside at our mystical rites:
Whose conduct maintains
Our auspicious domains,
And freedom with order unites.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.
Nor let the fair maid
Our mysteries dread,
Or think them repugnant to love;
To beauty we bend,
And her empire defend,
Her empire deriv'd from above.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.
[Page 18]
Then let us unite,
Sincere and upright,
On the level of virtue to stand:
No mortal can be
So happy as we,
With a brother and friend in each hand.
Chor. Like pillars we stand, &c.

SONG XIV.

We have no idle prating
Of either Whig or Tory:
But each agrees
To live at ease,
And sing or tell a story.
CHORUS.
Fill to him,
To the brim,
Let it round the table roll;
The divine
Tells you wine
Chears the body and the soul.
We're always men of pleasure,
Despising pride and party;
While knaves and fools
Prescribe us rules,
We are sincere and hearty.
Chor. Fill to him, &c.
If an Accepted Mason
Shou'd talk of high or low church;
We'll set him down
A shallow crown,
And understand him no church.
Chor. Fill to him, &c.
[Page 19]
The world is all in darkness;
About us they conjecture,
But little think,
A song and drink
Succeeds the Mason's lecture.
Chor. Fill to him, &c.
Then, landlord, bring a hogshead,
And in the corner place it;
Till it rebound,
With hollow sound,
Each Mason here will face it.
Chor. Fill to him, &c.
To the memory of him who first planted a vine.

SONG XV.

1.
COME lend me your ears, loving Brethren, a while,
Quite sober my senses, tho' joking my stile;
I'll tell you such wonders unknown to all those
Who flutter in verse, or who hobble in prose.
Derry down, down,
Down, derry down.
2.
While yet in confusion the Chaos it lay,
Ere ev'ning and morning had made the first day,
And all the materials lay jumbled together,
Like so many Dutchmen, in thick foggy weather.
Derry down, &c.
3.
When to this confusion no end there appear'd,
The sov'reign GRAND MASTER'S word sudden was heard,
[Page 20]Who order'd materials to form and compose,
And thus the Grand Lodge of this world [...] arose.
Derry down, &c.
4.
Then heaven and earth with jubilee rung,
And all the creation with Masonry sung;
And then to adorn and compleat the gay ball,
Old Adam was made the Grand Master of all.
Derry down, &c.
5.
But Satan met EVE, as she was a-gadding,
Which set her, as since all her daughters, a-mad­ding,
To find out the secrets of true Masonry,
She eat of the fruit which she pluck'd from the tree.
Derry down, &c.
6.
Her head then was fill'd with many strange fancies,
As e'er were young girls that deal in romances,
And being with knowledge sufficiently cramm'd,
She said to her husband, take, eat, and be d—d.
Derry down, &c.
7.
Adam look'd on her, as one struck with thunder,
He view'd her from head to foot over with wonder;
And since you have done this thing, madam, said he,
For your sake, no woman Free Mason shall be.
Derry down, &c.
8.
Then she did bewail in sorrowful ditty,
Till at last he beheld her, and on her took pity:
[Page 21]Free Masons are tender, so he to the dame
Bestow'd his white apron to cover her shame.
Derry down, &c.
9.
Then they did solace themselves in mutual joys,
Till in process of time they had two chopping boys;
The priest of the parish, as gossips devis'd,
By name Cain and Abel the youths canoniz'd
Derry down, &c.
10.
Next, old Father SETH, he mounted the stage,
In manners severe, tho' in Masonry sage,
He built him two pillars, so strong and so thick,
The one was of stone, and the other of brick.
Derry down, &c.
11.
But, in a short time, men turn'd past all enduring,
There was nothing but gaming, and drinking, and whoring,
Till Jove being wroth, rose up in his anger,
And said he would suffer such miscreants no longer.
Derry down, &c.
12.
Then from the high windows of heaven did pour,
Forty days, forty nights, one continued shower,
Till nothing but waters were seen all around,
And in this great deluge most mortals were drown'd.
Derry down, &c.
13.
Sure never appear'd such a very odd sight,
As to see the old world in this very sad plight;
[Page 22]For here in the waters all animals swimming,
Men, monkeys, priests, lawyers, cats, lap-dogs and women.
Derry down, &c.
14.
Here floated a debtor away from his duns,
There old father grey-beard, stark-naked, 'mongst nuns;
And here a poor husband, quite careless of life,
Contented in drowning, to shake off his wife.
Derry down, &c.
15.
A King and a cobler were mingled in view,
Of rakes and young spendthrifts there were not a few;
A whale and a Dutchman came down with the tide,
And a rev'rend old Bishop by a young wench's side.
Derry down, &c.
16.
But NOAH was wisest, for Noah judg'd right,
He built him an ark so strong and so tight,
That, tho' heaven and earth were coming to­gether,
He kept close in his Lodge, and stood buff to the weather.
Derry down, &c.
17.
And, after the Flood, like a Brother so true,
Who still had the good of the Craft in his view,
He delved the ground, and he planted the vine,
He founded a Lodge, aye, and gave his Lodge wine.
Derry down, &c.
[Page 23]
18.
Let statesmen toss, tumble, and jingle the ball,
We'll sit here in our Lodge, and laugh at them all:
Let priests have their lawn sleeves, and Kings their anointment,
Free-Masonry sure was by heaven's appointment.
Derry down, &c.
19.
To our noble Grand Master, great FORBES by name,
Whose virtue and prudence the Craft does so fame;
That the Craft it may flourish, and constantly spring,
Which every true Mason will joyfully sing.
Derry down, &c.

SONG XVI.

To the tune of the Enter'd 'Prentice.
1.
COME are you prepar'd,
Your scaffolds well rear'd,
Bring morter, and temper it purely;
'Tis all safe I hope,
Well brac'd with each rope,
Your ledgers and putlocks securely.
2.
Then next your bricks bring,
It is time to begin,
For the sun with its rays is adorning;
The day's fair and clear,
No rain you need fear,
'Tis a charming, lovely, fine morning.
3.
Pray where are your tools,
Your line and plumb-rules?
Each man to his work let him stand boys;
[Page 24]Work solid and sure,
Upright and secure,
And your building be sure will be strong boys.
4.
Pray make no mistake,
But true your joints break,
And take care that you follow your leaders;
Work, rake, back, and tueth,
And make your work smooth,
And be sure that you fill up your headers.

SONG XVII.

1.
WE Brethren Free-Masons, let's mark the great name;
Most antient and loyal, recorded by fame:
In unity met, let us merrily sing;
The life of a Mason's like that of a King,
2.
No discord, no envy, amongst us shall be,
No confusion of tongues, but let's all agree:
Not, like building of Babel, confound one another;
But fill up your glasses, and drink to each Brother.
3.
A tower they wanted to lead them to bliss,
I hope there's no Brother but knows what it is;
Three principal steps in our ladder there be,
A myst'ry to all but those that are free.
4.
Let the strength of our reason keep the square of our heart,
And virtue adorn ev'ry man in his part;
The name of a cowan we'll not ridicule,
But pity his folly, and count him a fool.
[Page 25]
5.
Let's lead a good life, whilst power we have,
And when our frail bodies are laid in the grave,
We hope with good conscience to Heaven to climb,
And give Peter the pass-word, the token, and sign.
6.
Saint Peter he opens, and so we pass in
To a place that's prepar'd for all those free from sin;
To that heavenly Lodge, that is tyl'd most secure,
A place that's prepared for all Masons pure.

SONG XVIII.

1.
'TIS Masonry unites mankind,
To gen'rous actions forms the soul;
In friendly converse all conjoin'd,
One spirit animates the whole.
2.
Where-e'er aspiring domes arise,
Where-ever sacred altars stand;
Those altars blaze unto the skies,
Those domes proclaim the Mason's hand.
3.
As passions rough the soul disguise,
Till science cultivates the mind;
So the rude stone unshapen lies,
Till by the Mason's art refin'd.
4.
Tho' still our chief concern and care
Be to deserve a Brother's name;
Yet ever mindful of the fair,
Their kindest influence we claim.
[Page 26]
5.
Let wretches at our manhood rail,
But they who once our order prove,
Will own that we, who build so well,
With equal energy can love.
6.
Sing Brethren then the Craft divine,
(Best band of social joy and mirth)
With choral sound, and chearful wine,
Proclaim its virtues o'er the earth.

SONG XIX.

1.
HAIL! MASONRY divine,
Glory of ages shine,
Long may'st thou hold;
Where-e'er thy Lodges stand,
May they have great command,
And always grace the land,
Thou art divine.
2.
Great fabrics still arise,
And touch the azure skies,
Great are thy schemes;
Thy noble orders are
Matchless beyond compare,
No art with thee can share,
Thou art divine.
3.
Hiram, the Architect,
Did all the Craft direct,
How they should build;
SOLOMON, great Israel's King,
Did mighty blessings bring,
And left us room to sing,
Hail! Royal ART.
[Page 27]

SONG XX.

1.
ATTEND, attend the strains,
Ye Masons Free, whilst I
To celebrate your fame,
Your virtues sound on high;
Accepted Masons, free and bold,
Will never live the dupes to gold.
2.
Great SOLOMON the king,
Great architect of fame,
Of whom all coasts did ring,
Rever'd a Mason's name:
Like him, accepted, free and bold,
True wisdom we prefer to gold.
3.
Since him the great and wise
Of every age and clime,
With fame that never dies,
Pursu'd the art sublime;
Inspir'd by Heaven, just and free,
Have honor'd much our mystery.
4.
The glorious paths of those,
With heav'n-born wisdom crown'd,
We every day disclose,
And tread on sacred ground;
A Mason, righteous, just, and free.
Or else not worthy Masonry.

SONG XXI.

1.
ATTEND loving Brethren, and to me give ear,
Our work being ended, let's lay aside care;
Let mirth and good humour our senses regale,
And mind that our secrets we never reveal.
And mind, &c.
[Page 28]
2.
With leave of his Worship that here fills the chair,
Who governs our actions by compass and square,
We'll sing a few verses in Masonry's praise,
Not fond of ambition, we look for no bays.
Not fond, &c.
3.
Our antient Grand Master, inspir'd by the Lord,
On holy Moriah, as in scripture declar'd,
The stupenduous structure began well to frame,
In the month called Zif, and fourth year of his reign,
In the, &c.
4.
With level and square the foundation began,
In length sixty cubits, breadth nineteen and one;
Here Masonry shin'd above all other arts,
So sublime the great secret the artist imparts.
So sublime, &c.
5.
Old HIRAM of Tyre, King DAVID'S great friend,
Did fir, pine, and cedar, from Lebanon send,
To build the Sanctorum by Masonry's skill,
Subsequent unto the great architect's will.
Subsequent, &c.
6.
One hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred,
Employ'd for the temple, we find they were number'd;
With Crafts many thousands, and bearers of loads,
And Masters six hundred the text does record.
And masters, &c.
7.
Who formed themselves into Lodges they say,
Some east and some west, some north and south way,
In love, honor and truth, go successfully on,
In all well govern'd kingdoms now under the sun.
In all, &c.
[Page 29]
8.
Now let the brisk bumper go merrily round,
May our worthy Master in honor abound,
May his instructive precepts to virtue us move,
To live like true Brethren in friendship and love,
To live, &c.
9.
Let moderns and critics, with impious rage,
Amuse the vain croud, and against us engage;
Let Prichard and followers, apostates profane,
With false tenets puzzle each lethargic brain.
With false, &c.
10.
All health to our Brethren of ev'ry degree,
Dispers'd round the globe, or by land or by sea;
Preserve them ye powers, their virtues improve,
When we part on the level, may we all meet above,
When we, &c.

SONG XXII.

1.
COME all ye elves that be,
Come follow, follow me;
All you that guards have been
Without, and serv'd within;
Sing, let joy through us resound,
For all this Lodge is sacred ground.
2.
Guides too, that fairies are,
Come, five by five, prepare,
Come bring fresh oil with speed,
Your dying lamps to feed;
All trimm'd in new and glitt'ring light,
For welcome garments must be white.
[Page 30]
3.
Come seraphs too, that be,
Bright rulers, three by three▪
Attend on me, your Queen,
Two handmaids led between;
Whilst all around this health I name,
Shall make the hollow sounds proclaim.
4.
Whilst Sylvans and their loves,
O'er mountains and in groves,
With brighter gems, and sprightly dames,
Of fountains and of flames;
With joyful noise of hand and feet,
Shall echo, and the noise repeat.
5.
Whilst we who sing and love,
And live in springs above;
Descend, descend, do we,
With Masons to be free;
Where springs of joy revive each face,
And streams of wine flow round the place.
6.
Whilst cherubs guard the door,
With flaming sword before,
We thro' the key-hole creep,
And there we deeply peep,
O'er all their jewels skip and leap,
And trip it, trip it, step by step.
7.
Or as upon the green,
We fairies turn unseen,
So here we make a ring,
Whilst merry Masons sing;
Around their crowns we whirl apace,
And not one single hair misplace.
[Page 31]
8.
And down from thence we jump,
All with a silent thump;
None hear our feet rebound,
Round, round, the table round;
None see us, while we nimbly pass
Thrice round the rim of ev'ry glass.
9.
But if any crumbs withal
Down from the table fall,
With greedy mirth we eat,
No honey is so sweet!
And when they drop it from their thumb,
We catch it supernaculum.
10.
Now as for Masonry,
Altho' we are not free,
In Lodges we have been,
And all their signs have seen;
Yet such love to the Craft we bear,
Their secrets we will ne'er declare.

SONG XXIII.

1.
WITH plumb, level, and square, to work let's prepare,
And join in sweet harmony;
Let's fill up each glass, and around let it pass,
To all honest men that are free,
To all honest men that are free.
CHORUS
Then a fig for all those, who are Free-Masons foes,
Our secrets we'll never impart;
But in unity we'll always agree,
And chorus it, prosper our art prosper our art,
And chorus it, prosper our art▪
[Page 32]
2.
When we're properly cloathed, the master discloses
The secret that's lodg'd in his breast;
Thus we stand by the cause, that deserves great applause,
In which we are happy and blest.
In which, &c.
Chor. Then a fig for all those, &c.
3.
The bible's our guide, and by that we'll abide,
Which shews that our actions are pure;
The compass and square are emblems most rare
Of justice, our cause to insure.
Of justice, &c.
Chor. Then a fig for all those, &c.
4.
The cowan may strive, nay, plot and contrive,
To find out our great mystery;
The inquisitive wife may in vain spend her life,
For still we'll be honest and free.
For still, &c.
Chor. Then a fig for all those, &c.
5.
True brotherly love we always approve,
Which makes us all mortals excel;
If a knave should by chance to this grandeur ad­vance,
That villain we'll straightway expel.
That villain, &c.
Chor, Then a fig for all those, &c.
[Page 33]
6.
So our Lodge that's pure, to the end shall endure,
In virtue and true secresy;
Then let's toast a good health, with honor and wealth,
To the blest hands that made us so free.
To the kind hands that made us so free.
Chor. Then a fig for all those, &c.

SONG XXIV.

1.
GUARDIAN Genius of our art divine,
Unto thy faithful Sons appear;
Cease now o'er ruins of the east to pine,
And smile in blooming beauties here.
2.
Syria, Egypt, and proud Babylon,
No more thy blissful presence claim;
America now claims thy during throne,
Where myriads do confess thy name.
3.
The Sciences from eastern regions brought,
Which after shewn in Greece and Rome,
Are here in many stately Lodges taught,
To which remotest Brethren come.
4.
Behold what strength our rising domes uprears,
'Till mixing with the azure skies;
Behold what beauty through the whole appears,
So wisely built, they must surprize.
5.
Nor are we only to these arts confin'd,
For we the paths of virtue trace;
By us man's rugged nature is refin'd,
And polish'd into love and peace.
[Page]

SOLOMON's TEMPLE: AN ORATORIO.

As performed at the Philharmonic-Room, in Dub­lin, for the Benefit of sick and distressed Free-Masons.

The Words by Mr. James Eyre Weeks.

The Music composed by Mr. Richard Broadway, Or­ganist of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

  • SOLOMON, the Grand Master.
  • HIGH PRIEST.
  • HIRAM, the Workman.
  • URIEL, Angel of the Sun.
  • SHEBA, Queen of the South.
  • Chorus of Priests and Nobles.
SOLOMON.
RECITATIVE.
COnven'd we're met—chief oracle of heav'n,
To whom the sacred mysteries are giv'n;
We're met to bid a splendid fabric rise,
Worthy the mighty Ruler of the skies.
High Priest.
[Page 35]
And lo! where Uriel, Angel of the Sun,
Arrives to see the mighty business done.
AIR.
Behold he comes upon the wings of light,
And with his sunny vestment chears the sight.
URIEL.
RECITATIVE.
The Lord supreme, Grand Master of the skies,
Who bid creation from a chaos rise,
The rules of architecture first engrav'd
On Adam's heart.
Chorus of Priests and Nobles.
To heaven's High Architect all praise,
All gratitude be giv'n,
Who deign'd the human soul to raise,
By secrets sprung from heav'n.
SOLOMON.
RECITATIVE.
Adam, well vers'd in arts,
Gave to his sons the Plumb and Line;
By Masonry, sage Tubal Cain
To the deep organ tun'd the strain.
AIR.
And while he swell'd the melting note,
On high the silver concords float.
HIGH PRIEST.
RECITATIVE, accompanied.
Upon the surface of the waves,
(When God a mighty deluge pours)
Noah a chosen remnant saves,
And laid the ark's stupendous floors.
URIEL.
[Page 36]
AIR.
Hark from on high the Mason word,
"David my servant shall not build
"A Lodge for heaven's all Sov'reign Lord,
"Since blood and war have stain'd his shield;
"That for the deputy, his son,
"We have reserv'd—Prince Solomon."
Da Capo.
Chorus of Priests and Nobles.
Sound great JEHOVAH's praise!
Who bid young Solomon the temple raise.
SOLOMON.
RECITATIVE.
So grand a structure shall we raise,
That men shall wonder! Angels gaze!
By art divine it shall be rear'd,
Nor shall the hammer's noise be heard.
CHORUS.
Sound great JEHOVAH's praise!
Who bid King SOLOMON the temple raise.
URIEL.
RECITATIVE.
To plan the mighty dome,
HIRAM, the Master-Mason's come.
URIEL.
AIR.
We know thee, by thy apron white,
An architect to be;
We know thee, by thy trowel bright,
Well skill'd in Masonry,
We know thee by thy jewel's blaze,
Thy manly walk and air,
Instructed, thou the Lodge shalt raise;
Let all for work prepare.
HIRAM.
[Page 37]
AIR.
Not like Babel's haughty building
Shall our greater Lodge be fram'd;
That to hideous jargon yielding,
Justly was a Babel nam'd:
There confusion, all o'er-bearing,
Neither sign nor word they knew;
We our work with order squaring,
Each proportion shall be true.
SOLOMON.
RECITATIVE.
Cedars, which since creation grew,
Fall of themselves to grace the dome;
All Lebanon, as if she knew
The great occasion—lo is come!
URIEL.
AIR.
Behold, my Brethren of the sky,
The work begins, worthy an angel's eye.
Chorus of Priests and Nobles.
Be present all ye heavenly host,
The work begins—the Lord defrays the cost!

ACT II.

MESSENGER.
RECITATIVE.
BEHOLD, attended by a num'rous train,
Queen of the south, fair Sheba, greets thy reign!
In admiration of thy wisdom, she
Comes to present the bended knee.
SOLOMON to HIRAM.
[Page 38]
RECITATIVE.
Receive her with a fair salute;
Such as with majesty may suit.
HIRAM.
AIR.
When the Grand Master bids obey,
We with pleasure own his sway.
Enter SHEBA attended.
Obedient to superior greatness, see
Our scepter hails thy mightier Majesty.
Thus Phoebe, Queen of shade and night,
Owning the sun's superior rays,
With feebler glory, lesser light,
Attends the triumph of his blaze.
Oh! all-excelling Prince, receive
The tribute due to such a King!
Not the gift, but will, believe!
Take the heart, not what we bring.
Da Capo.
SOLOMON.
RECITATIVE.
Let measures softly sweet
Illustrious SHEBA'S presence greet.
SOLOMON.
AIR.
Tune the lute snd string the lyre,
Equal to the fair we sing!
Who can see and not admire
SHEBA, consort for a King!
Enliv'ning wit and beauty join,
Melting sense and graceful air,
Here united powers combine
To make her brightest of the fair.
Da Capo.
SOLOMON.
[Page 39]
RECITATIVE
Hiram, our Brother and our friend,
Do thou the Queen with me attend.

SCENE II. A View of the Temple.

HIGH PRIEST.
RECITATIVE.
Sacred to heaven behold the dome appears;
Lo, what august solemnity it wears;
Angels themselves have deign'd to deck the frame,
And beauteous SHEBA shall report its fame.
AIR.
When the Queen of the south shall return
To the climes which acknowledge her sway,
Where the sun's warmer beams fiercely burn,
The Princes with transport shall say,
Well worthy my journey, I've seen
A Monarch both graceful and wise,
Deserving the love of a Queen;
And a temple well worthy the skies.
Da Capo.
CHORUS.
Open, ye gates, receive a Queen who shares
With equal sense your happiness and cares.
HIRAM.
RECITATIVE.
Of riches much, but more of wisdom, see,
Proportion'd workmanship and Masonry.
HIRAM.
AIR.
Oh charming SHEBA, there behold,
What massy stores of burnish'd gold,
Yet richer is our art;
[Page 40]Not all the orient gems that shine,
Nor treasures of rich Ophir's mine,
Excel the Mason's heart:
True to the fair, he honors more
Than glitt'ring gems or brighter ore,
The plighted pledge of love;
To ev'ry tie of honor bound,
In love and friendship constant found,
And favour'd from above.
SOLOMON and SHEBA.
DUET.
SHEBA.
One gem beyond the rest I see,
And charming SOLOMON is he.
SOLOMON.
One gem beyond the rest I see,
Fairest of fair-ones, thou art she.
SHEBA.
Oh thou surpassing all men wise;
SOLOMON.
And thine excelling womens eyes.
HIRAM.
RECITATIVE.
Wisdom and beauty both combine
Our art to raise, our hearts to join.
CHORUS.
Give to MASONRY the prize,
Where the fairest choose the wise:
Beauty still should wisdom love;
Beauty and order reign above.
FINIS.

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