Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

115 . The Farewell to the Brethren of St. James’s Lodge, Tarbolton

ADIEU! a heart-warm fond adieu;

Dear brothers of the mystic tie!

Ye favourèd, enlighten’d few,

Companions of my social joy;

Tho’ I to foreign lands must hie,

Pursuing Fortune’s slidd’ry ba’;

With melting heart, and brimful eye,

I’ll mind you still, tho’ far awa.

Oft have I met your social band,

And spent the cheerful, festive night;

Oft, honour’d with supreme command,

Presided o’er the sons of light:

And by that hieroglyphic bright,

Which none but Craftsmen ever saw

Strong Mem’ry on my heart shall write

Those happy scenes, when far awa.

May Freedom, Harmony, and Love,

Unite you in the grand Design,

Beneath th’ Omniscient Eye above,

The glorious Architect Divine,

That you may keep th’ unerring line,

Still rising by the plummet’s law,

Till Order bright completely shine,

Shall be my pray’r when far awa.

And you, farewell! whose merits claim

Justly that highest badge to wear:

Heav’n bless your honour’d noble name,

To Masonry and Scotia dear!

A last request permit me here,—

When yearly ye assemble a’,

One round, I ask it with a tear,

To him, the Bard that’s far awa.