Freemasonry—Introduction, No. I

Freemasonry—Introduction, No. I. [No. 1]

I fain would sing—a humble Sonneteer—
The charms of Masonry: which, to my mind,
Comprises all that benefits mankind,
And can our troubled spirits truly cheer;
All Arts and Sciences, all Moral Worth; 5
Whatever raises Man to that high state
Of intellect and goodness which the hate
Of wicked men can harm not. Oh! this Earth
Is beautiful! It would have no dearth
Of happy creatures if we would fulfil 10
Our duties to each other: for the will
Of the Great Architect, who call’d forth
From chaos, is—that happiness should be
Our lot through time and all eternity.

by George Markham Tweddell  1st published 1887