The Old Master's Wages

I met a dear old man today
Who wore a Masonic pin.
It was old and faded like the man
Its edges were worn quite thin

I approached the park bench where he sat
To give the old brother his due
I said, "I see you've traveled east."
He said, "I have, have you?"

I said, "I have and in my day
Before the all seeing sun
I played in the rubble of Jubala
Jubilo, and Jubalum."

He shouted, "Don't laugh at the work my son.
It's good and sweet and true.
And if you've traveled as you have said
You should give these things a due.

"The word, the sign, the token,
The sweet Masonic prayer,
The vow that all have taken
Who have climbed the inner stair.

"The wages of a Mason
are never paid in gold.
But the gain comes from contentment
when you're weak and growing old.

"You see I've carried my obligation
for almost fifty years.
It has helped me through the hardships
and the failures full of tears.

"Now I'm losing my mind and my body.
Death is near but I don't despair.
I've lived my life upon the level
And I'm dying upon the square."

Sometimes the greatest lessons
Are those that are learned anew
And the old man in the park today
has changed my point of view.

To all Masonic Brothers
The only secret is to care.
May you live upon the level.
May you part upon the square