[From Selections from Calcutta Gazettes) Vol. II]

The 15th January 1789

POET'S CORNER ODE ON MASONRY

Sung at the Ball given by the Free Masons on the 14th instant

Wake the Lute and quivering strings,
* Mystic Truths Urania brings;
Friendly visitant, to thee
We owe the depths of masonry!
Fairest of the virgin Choir,
Warbling to the golden Lyre.
Welcome here, thy art prevail,
Hail! divine Urania hail!
Crown the Bowl, and fill the Glass,
To every Virtue, every Grace.
To the Brotherhood resound,
Health! and let it thrice ** go around?
We + restore the time of old,
The blooming glorious age of Gold;
As the new creation Tree

Blest with gay Euphrosyne. *
We with god-like science talk, And with fair Astrea ** walk.
Innocence adorns the day,
Brighter than the smiles of May.
Pour the rosy Wine again.
Wake a louder, louder strain.
Rapid zephyrs as ye fly,
Waft our voices to the sky.
While we celebrate the Nine, +
And the wanders of the Trine.
While ++ the angels sing above,
As we below of, of Peace and Love.

(* Mathematical knowledge)
(** The number three was always mysterious.)
(** Joy)
(*** Justice)
(+ Jam redit et Virgo; redeunt Saturnia Regna (Virgil))
(++ Numero Deus imparc gaudet)
(+++ Gloria in supremis Deo, and in Terra pax, erga homines benevolentia. - Luke, Chapter 2, verse xiv.)

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