ADIEU! a heart-warm fond adieu; <br />Dear brothers of the mystic tie! <br />Ye favourèd, enlighten'd few, <br />Companions of my social joy; <br />Tho' I to foreign lands must hie, <br />Pursuing Fortune's slidd'ry ba'; <br />With melting heart, and brimful eye, <br />I'll mind you still, tho' far awa. <br /> <br /> <br />Oft have I met your social band, <br />And spent the cheerful, festive night; <br />Oft, honour'd with supreme command, <br />Presided o'er the sons of light: <br />And by that hieroglyphic bright, <br />Which none but Craftsmen ever saw <br />Strong Mem'ry on my heart shall write <br />Those happy scenes, when far awa. <br /> <br /> <br />May Freedom, Harmony, and Love, <br />Unite you in the grand Design, <br />Beneath th' Omniscient Eye above, <br />The glorious Architect Divine, <br />That you may keep th' unerring line, <br />Still rising by the plummet's law, <br />Till Order bright completely shine, <br />Shall be my pray'r when far awa. <br /> <br /> <br />And you, farewell! whose merits claim <br />Justly that highest badge to wear: <br />Heav'n bless your honour'd noble name, <br />To Masonry and Scotia dear! <br />A last request permit me here,— <br />When yearly ye assemble a', <br />One round, I ask it with a tear, <br />To him, the Bard that's far awa.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-farewell-to-the-brethren-of-st-james-s-lodge-tarbolton/
