Enter’d ’Prentices Song

By Mr. Matthew Birkhead

I

COME, let us prepare, 

We Brothers that are Assembled on merry occasion;

Let’s drink, laugh, and sing;

Our Wine has a Spring:

Here’s a health to an Accepted MASON.

II

The World is in pain

Our Secrets to gain,

And still let them wonder and gaze on;

They ne'er can divine

The Word or the Sign

Of a Free and an Accepted MASON.

III

’Tis This, and ’tis That,

They cannot tell What,

Why so many GREAT MEN of the Nation

Should Aprons put on,

To make themselves one,

With a Free and an Accepted MASON.

IV

Great KINGS, DUKES, and LORDS,

Have laid by their Swords,

Our Myst’ry to put a good Grace on,

And ne’er been ashamed

To hear themselves nam’d

With a Free and an Accepted MASON.

V

Antiquity’s Pride,

We have on our side,

And it maketh men just in their Station:

There’s nought but what’s good

To be understood

By a Free and an Accepted MASON.

VI

Then join Hand in Hand,

T’each other firm stand,

Let’s be merry, and put a bright Face on:

What Mortal can boast

So NOBLE a TOAST,

As a Free and an Accepted MASON?