The Level & the Square

We meet upon the Level and we part upon the Square;
What words of precious meaning these words Masonic are!
Come, let us contemplate them! they are worthy of a thought;
In the very walls of Masonry the sentiment is wrought.

We meet upon the Level, through from every station come,
The rich man from his palace and the poor man from his home;
For the rich must leave wealth and state outside the Mason's door,
And the poor man finds his best respect upon the Checkered Floor.

We act upon the Plumb - 'tis the orders of our Guide-
We walk upright in virtue's way and lean to neither side;
The All-Seeing Eye that reads our hearts doth bear us witness true,
That we still try to honor God and give each man his due.

We part upon the Square, for the world must have its due;
We mingle with the multitude, a faithful band and true;
But the influence of our gatherings in memory is green
And we long upon the Level to renew the happy scene.

There's a world where all are equal - we are hurrying towards it fast,
We shall meet upon the Level there, when the gates of Death are passed;

We shall stand before the Orient, and our Master will be there,
To try the blocks we offer with His own unerring Square.

We shall meet upon the Level there, but never thence depart;
There's a Mansion - 'tis all ready for each trusting, faithful heart -
There's a Mansion and a Welcome, and a multitude there
Who have met upon the Level and been tried upon the Square.

Let us meet upon the Level then, while laboring patient here;
Let us meet and let us labor, though the labor be severe;
Already in the western sky the signs bid us prepare
To gather up our Working tools and part upon the Square.

Hands round, yet Brotherhood, the bright fraternal chain,
We part upon the Square below, to meet in Heaven again!
What words of precious meaning these words Masonic are -
We meet upon the Level and we part upon the Square.

~ Rob Morris