The Trowel.

The Trowel. [No. 63]

Honour the Trowel far above the Sword!
Its Work is much more useful to Mankind.
Well know the Ancient Builders how to bind
Their Masonry, when all, in one accord,
Spread the well-temper’d Mortar: and we know 5
How, e’en in Ruins, many Stones lie bound
Into one Solid Mass. Let us be found
Spreading true Cement, which will Unite us so
In strongest Bonds of Brotherhood, that we
May live in Love together all our days; 10
And safely pass through Life’s perplexing maze,
With steady footsteps, to Eternity:
Living in perfect Friendship whilst on Earth,
And finding Death to us Immortal Birth.

by George Markham Tweddell 1st published c 1887