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Poem
January 14, 1804
Jenks' Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
A translated German Masonic ode lamenting the loss of innocence, faith, and virtue in the modern world, while praising the Masonic lodge as a sacred space restoring the golden age of freedom and moral purity.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A MASONIC ODE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.
O happy days! where are ye fled?
When to be innocent was to be great!
When man for conquest never bled!
When just law held in every breast her seat!
Alas! as far from nature's paths we err,
The poets only teach us what ye were!
Faith, Candor, Innocence, and Truth,
From the deserted world long since have flown,
Old Cunning preys on the bright eyes of youth,
And friendship is a term to man unknown;
Virtue, when guised by wealth or pow'r,
Falls, pursued by each vain insect of the hour!
Thrice happy we—This sacred place
Presuming folly never yet profaned!
Mild science here her laws can grace!
Here freedom rules by no weak fears restrained!
A Mason's heart ingenuous and free,
Restores within his Lodge the golden age!
FERDINANDO.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.
O happy days! where are ye fled?
When to be innocent was to be great!
When man for conquest never bled!
When just law held in every breast her seat!
Alas! as far from nature's paths we err,
The poets only teach us what ye were!
Faith, Candor, Innocence, and Truth,
From the deserted world long since have flown,
Old Cunning preys on the bright eyes of youth,
And friendship is a term to man unknown;
Virtue, when guised by wealth or pow'r,
Falls, pursued by each vain insect of the hour!
Thrice happy we—This sacred place
Presuming folly never yet profaned!
Mild science here her laws can grace!
Here freedom rules by no weak fears restrained!
A Mason's heart ingenuous and free,
Restores within his Lodge the golden age!
FERDINANDO.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
Liberty Independence
What keywords are associated?
Masonic Ode
Innocence Lost
Virtue Restored
Golden Age
Lodge Freedom
What entities or persons were involved?
Translated From The German. Ferdinando.
Poem Details
Title
A Masonic Ode.
Author
Translated From The German. Ferdinando.
Subject
Masonic Celebration Of Virtue And Freedom In The Lodge
Key Lines
O Happy Days! Where Are Ye Fled?
Thrice Happy We—This Sacred Place Presuming Folly Never Yet Profaned!
A Mason's Heart Ingenuous And Free, Restores Within His Lodge The Golden Age!