Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

(August 28, 1749 – 22 March 22, 1832)

Masonic Lodge

The Masons’s ways are               A Type of Existence

And his persistence                 Is as the days are

Of men in this world.               The future hides it

Gladness and Sorrow,                We press still thorow,

Naught that abides in it            Daunting us - onward.

And Solemn before us                Veiled, the dark portal,

Goal of all mortal;                 Stars are silent o’er us

Graves under us silent.             While earnest thou gazest

Comes boding of terror,             Comes phantasm and error

Perplexes the bravest               With doubt and misgiving.

But heard are the voices -          Heard are the Sages,

The Worlds and the Ages;            “Choose well; your choice is

“Brief and yet endless;             “Here eyes do regard you

“In eternity’s stillness;           “Here is all fullness,

“Ye have to reward you,             “Work, and despair not.”