En: Rob Morris

THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE

by Brother Rob Morris Poet Laureate of Freemasonry

(This poem, written in August, 1854, is the most popular Masonic Poem of all time.)

We meet upon the Level and we part upon the Square.

What words of precious meaning, those 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, though from every station come,

The rich man from his palace and the poor man from his home;

For the rich must leave his 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 toward it fast,

We shall meet upon the Level there when the gates of Death are past;

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 is 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, ye faithful Brotherhood, the bright fraternal Chain.

We part upon the Square below to meet in Heaven again!

What words of precious meaning, those words Masonic are –

We meet upon the Level and we part upon the square