Thus, O Sons of Earth, I leave you!—leave you for that higher light;
And my charge is now, Receive you all my parting words aright:
Human passion, mad ambition, bound me to this lower Earth,
Even in my changed condition—even in my higher birth.
But, by earnest, firm endeavor, I have gained a height sublime;
And I ne’er again—no, never!—shall be bound to Space or Time;
I have conquered! and forever! Let the bells in triumph chime!
“Come up higher!” cry the angels: “come up to the Royal Arch!
Come and join the Past Grand Masters, in the Soul’s progressive march,
O, thou neophyte of Wisdom! Come up to the Royal Arch!”
Sons of Earth! where’er ye dwell,
Break Temptation’s magic spell!
Truth is Heaven, and Falsehood, Hell!
Lawless Lust a demon fell!
Sons of Earth! where’er ye dwell,—
In this Heaven, or in this Hell,—
When ye hear the solemn swell
Of Creation’s mighty bell
Sounding forth Time’s funeral knell,
Ye shall meet me where I dwell;—
Until then—Farewell! Farewell!
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Principal parts of the Latin verb amo—I love.
[B] Cheerful.
[C] Trembling.
[D] Great.
[E] Gloomy.
[F] Amend.
[G] Astray.