THE W.Ts. OF THE 4th DEGREE
As we are assembled round this festive board,
Each in his respective station,
I now present you the working tools (1f ~ oonvivin1 Master Mason.
The knife is an implement made to carve The most ancient and venerable
rooster,
Not tear it apart with our fingers,
Like our ancient brethren "use‑tar".
The fork is an implement to help us reach out,
Sometimes where the other guy's place is,
And carries the portions carved by the knife To the aperture in our faces.
The spoon is a wonderful implement too,
Shaped and formed like a scoop,
You must use it with care and always beware,
Never slurp when taking the soup.
The tumbler determines the quantity there,
To limit the amount you may drink,
That we may preserve our faculties rare,
Not act like a big human sink.
But now I see you are waiting for me To apply these tools to our morals,
But as we are not speculative just now,
We'll apply these tools to our victuals.
From the knife which is long and sharpened for use We learn an old lesson
true,
To never cut more for the hole in our face That we can comfortably chew.
From the fork with its shoulders true and firm,
Its four prongs standing together,
We learn that Masons should always be true,
And steadfast in all kinds of weather.
The spoon is for foodstuffs that will not stand up,
Like cereals,
soups or jelly,
By this we're reminded that we should tee strong,
And have more backbone than belly.
The tumbler reminds us when giving a toast,
When to Master or Tyler we sip,
We mustn't forget and indulge too much,
That we may not lose our grip.
Now from the whole we this moral deduce,
These tools for our use are essential,
But never make hogs of yourselves by their use,
Or perhaps you may lose your potential.
It isn't just right to gorge every night,
With good things,
to stewards' preferential,
Just take enough of all the good stuff,
For temperance is surely prudential.
So don't ever use the tumbler too much,
' Till you stammer and wobble and stutter,
Don't be a big fool with this working tool,
Or you may spend the night in the gutter.
So,
brethren,
be sure when from labour you're called
To refreshment,
shun the attractions,
Let prudence and temperance and fortitude be
The rule and the guide of your actions.
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