THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE
By ROB MORRIS The Master Mason - June 1924

From: Ron Blaisdell To: mi-masons
Subject: The Level & the Square
Date: Thursday, March 18, 1999 10:39 PM

These lines were written by Rob Morris in 1854. He tells how the familiar expression, "We meet upon the Level and we part upon the Square" had been running through his mind, when, happening to couple the words with the pretty air of "Jeannette and Jeanot," he sat down upon a fallen tree, as he was walking to the home of a neighbor on a summer day, and wrote the poem. The second line of the third stanza, as originally written, was, We mingle with the multitude, a cold, unfriendly crew," the last four words of which were altered to read, "a faithful band and true." The lines have been translated into many tongues and sung to many melodies.

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;
With the highest, and the lowest, and the rarest they are fraught!
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 one must leave his wealth and state outside the Mason's door,
While the other finds his true respect upon the checkered floor.
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 by His own unerring square!
We shall meet upon the level there, but never thence depart;
There's a mansion - 'tis all ready for each faithful, trusting heart -
There's a mansion, and a welcome, and a multitude is there.
We 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 Masons - form the bright fraternal chain;
We part upon the square below to meet in heaven again;
Oh, what words of precious meaning those words Masonic are;
We meet upon the level and we part upon the square.

S&F, Ron Blaisdell, PM Capital of Strict Observance No. 66