University Library 
 University of California - Berkeley 
 
FURTH ER LIGHT 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS WRITTEN FOR MASONIC OCCASIONS. 
 ALSO TRIBUTES TO HIS FRIEND ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 By 
 
 HENRY PELHAM HOLMES BROMWELL. 
 
 ( Baltimore 1823 1903 Denver ) 
 
 Edition of Eighty Numbers. 
 Copyright by Henrietta Elizabeth BromwelL 
 DENVER, COLORADO 
 
 1920 
 
THE BAfJCRGFT MI3R/ 
 
 
 
 
 "// / should, Bromwell, ever write a book 
 
 Entitled 'Men who worthy 'prove of fame', 
 
 I would the work begin with your pure name. 
 
 Before I would to any other look; 
 
 Fd show how, when your country undertook 
 
 Herself to save from going down in shame, 
 
 You, in her councils, to her rescue came, 
 
 And did all opposition boldly brook. 
 
 You I would range with honest Washington, 
 
 With Madison, and Jefferson, and Clay, 
 
 And Daniel Webster, that broad blazing star, 
 
 Who, while he shone, Secession held at bay 
 
 You too shall honored be for what you've done, 
 
 If ever right and justice have their way." 
 
 Theophilus Van Deren. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 [ From the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1903, p. 142; 3 
 
 "Henry Pelham Holmes Broznwell, Past Most Worshipful 
 Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, (serving in 1865) 
 and honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, jur 
 ist, author, and legislator. Born, August 26, 1823. Died, Jan 
 uary 9, 1903. ( Master of Charleston Lodge No. 35, 1858-59-60- 
 61-62-63. ) 
 
 "Brother Henry Pelham Holmes Bromwell was a fitting ex 
 ample for any man to safely follow, no matter how exalted 
 his station in life. He was a descendant of Puritan stock. 
 He was a material factor in the formation of the laws and 
 history of two states of the Union, and, to some extent, of 
 the Nation at large. 
 
 "As an orator he had but few, if any equals. Some of his 
 flights of eloquence before this Grand Lodge in former years, 
 were marvels that ring in our ears today, and will never be 
 forgotten. He possessed the superb delivery of Everett, forti 
 fied with the power of Webster; and, notwithstanding this, 
 
 one of his conspicous characteristics was his refinement 
 
 humility. 
 
 "Nor is this all. He was as good as he was grand. Of his 
 Masonic history nothing need be written here. The records 
 of this Grand Jurisdiction teem with his glorious achieve- 
 
3IOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 ments, as do those of Colorado, where he had for so long a 
 period made his home. He was like a spotless lily, standing 
 by a cooling stream a source from which to draw ev 
 ery laudable inspiration." 
 
 [ Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1903, p. 171, From the 
 address of Brother Joseph Robbins to the Grand Lodge: ] 
 
 "There are few men in this body perhaps not more 
 
 than half a dozen who remember Brother Bromwell when 
 he first appeared before the Grand Lodge of Illinois. 
 
 "Tall, straight as an arrow, with eagle eye, and hair of 
 quite aboriginal blackness, talking in parables clad in quaint 
 
 speech, fluent, yet measured as became his subject such 
 
 is the picture which stands out in my memory of the Grand 
 Orator of this Grand Lodge in 1862. 
 
 "The same figure mounted upon a chair, alive all over, 
 with tongue of fire, and the volubility of a Niagara, de 
 nouncing as treason to Masonry, and the users thereof as 
 foresworn, the cypher which played so prominent a part in 
 the fierce conflict which raged over the subject of work in 
 
 the early sixties stands out as one of the dominant forces 
 
 of the stormy convention at Bryan hall in 1863. 
 
 "The same figure, that of the newly installed Grand Mas 
 ter, alert, prompt, decisive, but wielding the gavel with sing 
 ular moderation, and with almost over-generous recognition 
 of the rights upon the floor, of those who but yesterday had 
 been his opponents is the picture my memory retains of 
 the executive of 1865 and 1866. Such altogether is my recol- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 lection of three aspects presented by the most singularly 
 striking: personality that has graced the presence and adorn 
 ed the annals of this Grand Lodge since its organization." 
 
 "L3okmg backward through the perspective of the fleeting 
 years, at him, and hia compeers, I am sure that I reflect the 
 feeling of all those who were a part of the events of that pe 
 riod, when I say there were giants in those days," 
 
 "Failing of a renonrnation for Congress of which he was 
 
 a member during and after his grand mastership, he sought a 
 new field for his energies in the Territory of Colorado. There 
 his abilities were quickly recognized. He became a member 
 of the territorial legislature, of the convention which framed 
 the constitution, and of the first, and subsequent state legis 
 latures, and later was the commissioner to revise the statutes 
 of the stats; and in these capacities he left his impress all 
 over the constitution and jurisprudence of the new common 
 wealth. His part in giving woman the ballot was so great 
 that there was no one to dispute the title which he ever aft 
 erwards bore that of the father of equal suffrage in Colora 
 do." 
 
 "This gives you some idea of the forceful character of the man. 
 His zeal for Maonnry, and his love for it, knew no abatement 
 with his change of residence; and while he lovingly remember 
 ed this Grand Lodge that had honored him, and preserved his 
 affiliation with it, he took an active part in the affairs of the 
 Fraternity in Colorado. He was made an honorary Past Grand 
 Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado at an early day, and 
 from that day on, no annual communication passed while he 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 was in health, that some opportunity was not found or made 
 to draw from him an address upon the principles or symbol 
 ism of Masonry. 
 
 "As an adviser he was a principal factor in the revision 
 of their code, and was the author of their funeral service, 
 containing a remarkable, original Master Masons' hymn, fam 
 iliar, probably, to but few of you, as not many copies of this 
 
 service have found their way to Illinois a dirge which in 
 
 its tremendous power of rhythm, language and thought, at once 
 recalls the Dies Irae, one of the notable poems of the ages. 
 
 "At its last communication during his life, the Grand Lodge 
 sent a committee to his bedside with greetings from his breth 
 ren and a message of encouragement and hope* But the hope 
 proved vain. Tossed by the storms of nearly eighty winters, 
 his worn and frail bark slipped from its moorings, and drift 
 ed out upon that silent, peaceful sea, of whose boundaries 
 we know only the hither shore. 
 
 "Brother Bromwell's mind was of a singularly subtle cast 
 and it was so many- sided that it kept him in touch with all 
 the affairs of men. Tap it on any side, and wisdom flowed, 
 not simply because of his quick perception, for he had that, 
 but because the subject had been thought out. 
 
 "Altogether, his was the most singularly striking personal 
 ity that the Grand Lodge of Illinois has known since its org 
 anization. 
 
 "His mind was of that peculiar cast that he delighted in 
 inysticism and symbolism. He might have flooded his time 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 with degrees whose rituals would have bean worth the study of 
 any man. But he was too safely anchored for that. He had too 
 profound an appreciation of the value of the Masonry as defined 
 and circumscribed by the landmarks; the Masonry of the Charg 
 es of a Freemason; the Masonry handed down to us in its sim 
 plicity and dignity by the fathers, to permit anything else, with 
 him, to take its place. He recognized the fact that Masonry was 
 the prophet of that altruism which permeates modern society, 
 the environment of Masonry, where once it only permeated the 
 Fraternity itself. 
 
 "Above all he recognized the tremendous power exerted by a 
 pattern of free representative government a pattern wrought 
 out by the doctrine of equality sprinyhigr from the brotherhood 
 of man, and making Masonry a model commonwealth long be 
 fore the enfranchising idea that governments derive their just 
 powers from the consent of the governed had found lodgement 
 in th? world outside of the Fraternity. If I had time I would 
 dwell for a moment upon the influence which the experimental 
 knowledge gained in Masonry by the great men of our Revoluti 
 on, of the possibility of a free, repr ?sentative government, with 
 only such limitations upon the liberty of the people as were self- 
 imposed had, in shaping and developing this government of ours. 
 
 "Brother Bromwoll appreciated this, and because this pattern 
 of a government resting on the consent of the governed is in 
 wrought in the landmarks of masonry, he had held these land 
 marks as the apple of his eye; and could he have sent a last 
 message to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, it would have been to 
 preserve the landmarks above everything, not only because they 
 are irrevocably entailed upon us, but because they embrace this 
 principle of a government of men by themselves, the evangel 
 and the hope of mankind in all ages to come," 
 
THE LUTE OF I S K ^E F E L, 
 
 Philharmon: 
 
 O the wond'rous things they tell 
 Of the Angel Isreefel ! 
 He whose heart string's are a lute: 
 At whose voice the Heavens are mute; 
 Singer, who, as angels tell, 
 Doth all sons of God excel. 
 Would that could these ears of mine 
 Catch but once his strain divine ! 
 All my soul would glow with bliss, 
 All my life be charmed from this; 
 Blessed are their ears who dwell 
 Near the lips of Isrsefel. 
 
 Israefel: 
 
 Who is this would hear my voice ? 
 Let his soul henceforth rejoice; 
 Hail O son of mortal birth, 
 Thou shalt hear my notes on Earth; 
 Thou shalt feel the holy spell 
 Of the voice of Israefel, 
 
THE LUTE OF 13K/EFEL. 
 
 Pktlkarmon: - 
 
 Hark! a rushing sound I hear, 
 Music fills the ethereal sphere. 
 List ! what notes unheard before, 
 Through my inmost being pour ! 
 In the rapture of their thrill 
 Breath departs and heart is still. 
 
 'Twas the sound of Angel wings; 
 Hail I 'tis israofel who sings ! 
 O the rapture of delight, 
 Who can speak its wond'rous height 
 Angel, whence such marv'lous tone? 
 Wherefore from thy lips alone ? 
 Tell me why such transports dwell 
 In the tones of Israefel ? 
 
 Israefel: 
 Know, thou mortal that the thrill 
 
 Which doth so thy spirit fill, 
 
 Cometh not from lip or tongue, 
 'Tis the lute within me strung; 
 
 Lute with strings of sweet accord, 
 By the finger of the Lord. 
 
 Touched with Three, and Five, and Seven. 
 
 Cardiac symphonies of Heaven; 
 
 This hath wrought the wond'rous spell 
 
THE LUTE OF ISRJEFEL. 
 
 In the notes of Israefel. 
 
 Philharmon: 
 
 Would such ecstacy might flow 
 From the voice of man below ! 
 Would that Heaven might grant to me 
 Such a lute as dwells in thee ! 
 Round the Earth my feet would haste, 
 Vale and forest, field and waste 
 l&les and mountains, seas and plains 
 Live enchanted by my strains. 
 Human melodies grow tame, 
 Sirens' song's be put to shame, 
 Voices of all winds should be 
 Tuned to flutes of Heaven by me; 
 Sounds of waters all excel 
 Concords of the Naiad's shell: 
 Echoes of the glen and hill 
 In seraphic rondeaus trill; 
 Trees should be with passions fired, 
 Birds and beasts with souls inspired: 
 Human hearts delirious leap, 
 Angel eyes with rapture weep. 
 
 Grant me Heaven 
 
 This marv'lous spell, 
 Grant this lute of Israefel ! 
 
THE LUTE OF ISR^FEL. 
 
 Isrc.efel: 
 
 Hold, thy heart i& in the wrong-, 
 Net for this IB Heavenly song, 
 Selfish rapture thou wouldst gain, 
 Triumph for thy soul obtain; 
 Know that who this lute would bear. 
 First, with all the joy would share. 
 Iviiow this wond'rous gift of mine 
 Is naught else than Love divine; 
 This alone hath wrought the spell 
 
 In the tones of Israefel. 
 Philkiirmon: 
 
 Woe is me, this voice to hear, 
 Fettered in this mortal sphere ! 
 Woe is rne, to thus have known 
 Gifts which ne'er can be mine own. 
 What is life, henceforth forlorn ! 
 Better had I ne'er been born, 
 Would that God mine ears had cursed 
 Unto deafness from the first, 
 Ere I felt the charms which dwell 
 
 In the voice of Israefel. 
 Why should such a gift be given 
 Unto him alone by Heaven ? 
 Why should Heaven and Earth be dumb 
 If but Israefel do come ! 
 
THE LUTE OF ISRJSP^EL. 
 
 Instruments be put to scorn 
 Bird and beast be left forlorn; 
 Voice of man, as mine, in shame 
 Echoes but his worshipped name, 
 All as one condemned to swell 
 
 Triumphs of this Israefel ! 
 
 Isruefel: 
 
 Nay, 'tis well that thou didst hear, 
 For thy sake I now am here ! 
 Didst thou sigh to hear my strain ? 
 Wherefore dost thou now complain ? 
 Knowst thou why thy heart is mute ? 
 Who forbids to thee a lute ? 
 Know thou that the Lord, in me 
 Wrought but that he would for thee. 
 
 Every heart his hands have made 
 Hath a lute with strings arrayed, 
 Hath a lute wbose strings are seven, 
 Answering to the chords of Heaven: 
 
 Yet to place that harp in tune 
 Thou with Heaven must first commune. 
 'Tis but love divine which brings 
 
 Music from those hidden strings, 
 
 Love divine whose sweet control 
 
 Tunes the harp of every soul ! 
 
THE LUTE OF ISR^FEL. 
 
 This the Angel's song inspires, 
 
 Wakes the seraphs' holy fires, 
 
 This about thy heart hath run, 
 Since its pulse of life begun. 
 Holy currents to and fro, 
 With its throbbing ebb and flow 
 But for this, thy selfish sin, 
 Filling every cell within; 
 Then would mystic cords full strung 
 Fill with melodies thy tongue. 
 Love and wisdom in degree, 
 
 Even as thy state may be. 
 If with love thy heart abound, 
 String 'd with three thy lute shall sound; 
 
 If in wisdom thou excel, 
 Five the cords that then shall swell; 
 
 If thou art both good and wise 
 Seven-fold harmonies shall rise; 
 Such as those whose charms excel 
 
 In the notes of Israefel. 
 
 1868. 
 
THE 
 
 ROYAL ARCH. 
 
TEE LUTE OF ISR^EFEL. 
 
 THE ROYAL ARCH. 
 
 How fair the Mason's checquered floor, 
 
 How cheerful is the rugged march 
 When Friendship tiles the inner door, 
 And Love completes 
 
 The Royal Arch ! 
 
 The quarry's toil is gladsome play. 
 
 The noisome crypt is holy ground, 
 And incense floats o'er ruins gray 
 From altars in 
 
 the desert found. 
 
 While those who grasp the dross of Earth, 
 
 Must strive thro' turmoil, pain and fear, 
 The jewels of celestial worth 
 Await the faithful 
 
 Master here. 
 
THF/ ROYAL ARCH, 
 
 But gain qf pelf and granp of power 
 
 Elude the living heart's desire; 
 They perish with the flitting hour, 
 Consumed in truth's 
 
 alchemic fire, 
 
 L?t discord lead her frantic march, 
 And envy smite, and rage assail. 
 Companions of the Royal Arch 
 Walk arm in arm 
 
 within the veil. 
 
 The friendly heart and clasping hand, 
 
 The wisdom of the hidden lore 
 Whose lessons guide to Eden's land 
 The Sons of Light 
 forevermore. 
 
 ( Written for the Webster presentation.) 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 Azrael: 
 
 Mortal, I have heard thy cry, 
 If thou seek me, here am I ! 
 Wherefore hast thou called me so ? 
 What the secret thou wouldst know ? 
 
 Elkana: 
 
 Angel of the higher sphere, 
 Give me ease from pain and fear. 
 Hast thou not the hidden art 
 Life and pleasure to impart ? 
 Here I wander sad and lone, 
 All my path with tears is sown; 
 Gnawing cares my heart assail. 
 Pains above my strength prevail: 
 Naught avails my toiling here, 
 In this barren land and drear, 
 Deserts spread on every side, 
 Wasted streams and fountains dried, 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 Fruit of vine and fig tree fall, 
 Corn and olive perish all; 
 And the reaper's hand receives 
 Brambles oft instead of sheaves. 
 I have heard of brighter skies 
 In a land called Paradise; 
 Heard that sacred rivers there. 
 Cleanse from sickness, pain and 
 
 care. 
 
 I would lave my wearied soul, 
 Where their living currents roll , 
 On their shores of bloom recline, 
 Gather corn and oil and wine; 
 Tell me Angel, thou dost know, 
 Where the Sacred Rivers flow ! 
 
 Azrael: 
 
 Yes, I know a land that lies 
 In the light of blessed skies: 
 Life and health and pleasure there 
 Dwell in field and stream and air; 
 Winds of music fill the skies, 
 With the hymns of Paradise, 
 Springs of marv'lous beauty pour. 
 Trees of life bloom evermore, 
 
 10 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 Shedding Heavenly manna sweet, 
 
 Angel's fruit that man may eat ; 
 
 Flowers of holiest incense grow, 
 
 There the Sacred Rivers flow. 
 
 Elkana. 
 
 Thou dost speak of Heavenly streams, 
 Only seen in holy dreams; 
 Those whereof the seers told 
 In the mystic leaves of old; 
 What are those to one like me, 
 Bound in life of low degree ? 
 Though that blessed land be fair, 
 When did mortal venture there ? 
 Who would thither pass must brave 
 All the terrors of the grave ! 
 Tell me of some land below, 
 Where such sacred rivers flow, 
 
 Azrael; 
 
 Yes, a land is found on Earth, 
 Where immortal springs have birth; 
 Where all tempests cease their strife, 
 And the plants yield balm of life, 
 Where the quickening airs assuage 
 Sorrow's pain and passion's rage; 
 Flowers of healing odors grow, 
 There the sacred rivers flow. 
 
 11 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 Elkana: 
 
 Tell me then the name of each 
 How their charmed banks to reach, 
 What the dangers of the way ? 
 How to compass them I may ? 
 What high mountains intervene ? 
 What dark rivers roll between ? 
 What deep ocean's billows toss 
 And the deserts drear to cross ? 
 What wild beasts or serpents dread, 
 Guard the paths that I must tread 
 Ere I yet may see and know 
 Where the sacred rivers flow ? 
 
 Azrael; 
 
 Nay, the streams are at thy feet. 
 Near thy path their ripples beat; 
 All the land before thee lies, 
 'Tis the same called Paradise! 
 God's own garden stand eth fair, 
 In the East of Eden there 
 Which the seers knew of yore, 
 With its sacred rivers four: 
 Streams by mortals such as thou 
 Oft discovered then as now, 
 Gijion, Pison, Hiddekel, 
 
 12 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 And the Euphrates as well. 
 One in beauty, southward streams 
 
 Neath the sun's meridian beams 
 
 One whose strength resistless flows, 
 
 To the golden sunset goes 
 
 One with silent sweep doth roll, 
 Constant to the steady pole. 
 Crystal clear the fourth goes on, 
 
 To the portals of the dawn. 
 One in Temperance will control 
 All the passions of the soul; 
 One shall Fortitude impart 
 Moral strength to nerve thy heart 
 One with Heavenly Prudence guide 
 All thy steps whate'er betide: 
 And the fourth thy heart incline 
 
 To the Golden Rule divine, 
 Bring thy selfishness to naught, 
 And to Justice all thy thought. 
 He who would these waters share 
 
 Must a golden vessel bear 
 
 Charity, the cup divine 
 
 Turneth water all to wine: 
 Only from this blessed bowl 
 Canst thou drink to fill the soul, 
 
 Purifying all within 
 
 13 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 From the love of self and sin. 
 If thou taste those rivers four, 
 Thou may at find an open door; 
 Those who are prepared and true, 
 Enter there, as thou mayst do: 
 Knocking thrice, for this thou must. 
 
 Showing thus in God thy trust: 
 
 Only be thou not dismayed, 
 By the cherub's turning blade: 
 For the Garden of the Lord 
 
 Lies beyond the flaming sword. 
 
 There the land thou seekest lies, 
 All its charms await thine eyes; 
 There the toil and tumult cease 
 And thy soul may learn of peace. 
 Warmth of Love and light of Truth 
 
 Keep thee in unfading youth. 
 
 There the flowers shed holy air, 
 
 Fruits of virtue ripen there 
 
 Trees of life spread all their palms, 
 Singing winds conspire in psalms, 
 Streams of honey, milk and wine 
 
 Flow for every need of thine: 
 
 14 
 
THE SACRED RIVERS. 
 
 Dews of Eden as they fall 
 Shed beatitudes on all. 
 
 Now thy feet are on the brink, 
 Take this cup of mine and drink, 
 Lest thou feel the flaming sword, 
 Take this signet of the Lord, 
 These will cause thine eyes to see. 
 Gates of Paradise to thee. 
 These long since had made thee know* 
 Where the Sacred Rivers flow ! 
 
 15 
 
TO H. G, R 
 
 [ On the death of his children. ] 
 
 Brother, pressed with anguish sore, 
 Wandering on the checquered floor, 
 Halting, weary, weeping lone 
 O'er thy precious jewels strown: 
 
 Let not all thy courage fail, 
 Let thy fortitude prevail; 
 For the Master leads not where 
 Strength and faith shall fail to bear. 
 
 Though upon thy way below, 
 Joys and sorrows with thee go, 
 Yet the woes that bid thee mourn 
 May not pass the mystic bourne. 
 
 Though the gloom divide the light 
 Still thy tessellled way is bright: 
 He who laid its ashlars fair, 
 Gave not any to despair. 
 
 17 
 
To II. G. R- 
 
 Those, thy loved ones, passed before, 
 Through the ever open door, 
 By His bidding ushered in, 
 Past the veils and cherubim, 
 
 Wouldst thou grieve to see them there, 
 In the inner chamber fair ? 
 Wouldst thou sigh to hear their psalms ? 
 Weep to see the immortal palms ? 
 
 Look, upon that sea of glass 
 Never pain or sorrow pass; 
 See the many mansions fair, 
 And thy glorified are there. 
 
 Tho' their earthly bloom was laid 
 Where the smitten violets fade, 
 Tho' the damp and silent cell 
 Holds the forms thou loved st so well, 
 
 Couldst thou see them as they are, 
 See the beauty now they bear 
 Joy would call thy heart away 
 Glory fill thy mortal day, 
 
 18 
 
To H. G, R- 
 
 Soon, when thou, as these, shalt go, 
 Other loved ones' tears shall flow, 
 Other hearts with grief and pain, 
 Sigh for that, thy wcnd'rous gain. 
 
 Then shall light that doth arise. 
 For the upright bless thine eyes. 
 When thy angels hail thee in, 
 Past the veils and cherubim, 
 
 1862. 
 
 Harmon G. Reynolds was Grand Secretary of the 
 Grand Lodge of Illinois when Bromwell was Grand 
 Master; he retired in 1867. 
 
 19 
 
FURTHER 
 
 LIGHT. 
 
FURTHER LIGHT. 
 
 Kail Brothers of the Rule and Line, who work by Truth, 
 and Honor's laws; 
 
 Still striving toward the Light divine, the day spring of 
 our righteous cause. 
 
 The cause our ancient seers upbore, in lonely lands 
 though darkest night; 
 
 Still keeping in their mystic Lore, the prophecy of 
 "further Light." 
 
 And further Light spread Truth and Love, 'till now 
 the world begins to know 
 
 The Fatherhood of God, above, the Brotherhood of 
 Man, below. 
 
 And we, who caught their thought in part how oft 
 
 we met, in former time, 
 
 To search for truths their "Royal Art," had woven 
 in the "work" sublime. 
 
 21 
 
FURTHER LIGHT 
 
 And oft within the dimmest lore, of ancient writ, 
 
 we sought and found 
 
 Some Jewel from their secret store concealed of old 
 
 in Holy ground; 
 
 - Concealed for those who seek aright, as that 
 
 Foundation Stone of yore, 
 
 "First seen in Heaven" by Holy Light, then cen 
 tre of the Master's floor. 
 
 And oft we met in concourse glad, to hail our chosen 
 rulers all, 
 
 And oft with spirits O how sad, to bear for some 
 
 the funeral pall. 
 
 And this must be, 'till all shall go, and none shall 
 know that we were here, 
 
 Yet what is lost to earth below, is treasured in that 
 higher sphere. 
 
 So one by one they passed the bourne, whence none 
 
 returns to earthly sight 
 
 While we await the hastening morn, which ushers 
 
 each to "Further Light!" 
 
 Bromwell wrote this poem as a greeting to Denver Lodge 
 No. 5; Lawrence N. Greenleaf printed it in his magazine. 
 "The Square and Compass," in June, 1899 
 
 22 
 
THE FAITHFUL TYLER, 
 
THE FAITHFUL TYLER. 
 
 THE FAITHFUL TYLER. 
 
 Hail trusty bearer of the sword 
 
 Which ever guards the Mystic door, 
 
 We greet thee here with one accord, 
 
 And hearts grown cordial more and more 
 Since first thy hand this symbol bore. 
 
 No sword of war or cruel hate 
 
 But truth's own sign, which flaming turns 
 
 Incessant to the narrow gate 
 
 By which the wanderer returns 
 To where the hidden glory burns. 
 
 We pledge thee here with ruby wine 
 
 And bread which true companions share; 
 
 The bowl which flows for thee and thine 
 
 We crown with friendship's garlands fair, 
 And fruits which old affections bear, 
 
 23 
 
THE FAITHFUL TYLER. 
 
 For thee and thine let years increase, 
 While plenty fills her magic horn, 
 To shed thro' pleasant ways of peace, 
 Beyond the Golden wedding morn. 
 The precious wine and oil and corn, 
 
 Then bear thro' time thy symbol bright, 
 "Till all thy well wrought task is o'er, 
 
 When hands which guard the ports of light 
 Shall swing for thee the golden door 
 Which opens on the eternal floor. 
 
 This poem was composed for the silver wedding of 
 the Gr. Tyler of Colorado, many years ago," and beaut 
 ifully engrossed in India ink by the author. After the 
 Tyler's death his family gave it to the Grand Lodge. 
 
 24 
 
THE 
 
 TESSELLED 
 
 LOOK. 
 
THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 
 
 THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 
 
 All hail ye worthy sons of Light, allied in Honor, 
 Truth and Good, 
 
 Who 'round the altar meet tonight, where we so 
 oft together stood, 
 
 Say, mind ye still the golden band, which years 
 of friendship 'round us threw, 
 
 When heart with heart and hand in hand, I walked 
 the tesselled floor with you ? 
 
 Now where our ancient tapers burn, the mystic 
 gavel summons all, 
 
 But some who went may ne'er return while 
 
 changing moons the craft shall call. 
 
 For some in distant lands abide,' and task and 
 journey still pursue, 
 
 Who wore your jewel s side by side, and walked 
 the tesselled floor with you, 
 
THE TESSELLED FLOOR. 
 
 Aye, long we passed together all, life's checquered 
 way thro' light and gloom; 
 
 Now met to throng the festal hall, now gathered 
 'round the open tomb. 
 
 On some we placed the badge of trust, on some 
 
 the cassia's branch we threw, 
 
 Gave earth to earth and dust to dust, who walked 
 the tesselled floor with you ! 
 
 But yet the jewel's light shall shine, for all the 
 
 upright, near or far, 
 
 Who walk by plummet, rule and line, and follow 
 still the blazing star; 
 
 And still the cable wrought of old, extends the 
 earthly ground floor through, 
 
 To bind as one the scattered fold, who walked 
 the tesselled floor with you. 
 
THE TESSSLLED FLOOR. 
 
 Then fare-ye-well ! as oft 1 view the "lesser 
 
 lights" ascend the sky, 
 
 The old affections burning- new, shall bring your 
 distant circle nigh. 
 
 Be this my prayer, though temples fail, and 
 
 arch and altar crumble too, 
 
 When "Judah's Lion" shall prevail, to walk the 
 Heavenly floor with you. 
 
 This greeting was written to his old Lodge at Charleston Ills.; 
 ho was always homesick for this Lodge; it had some brilliant 
 members, Stanley B. Walker, William E. Ginther, and Horace 
 Parcels being his very dear friends, all now passed away. 
 
 27 
 
THE LADDER OF BET H E L. 
 
THE LADDER OF BETH EL. 
 
 THE LADDER OF BET H E L. 
 
 Salathiek 
 
 Angel with the eye of flarne, 
 Known to mortals is thy name; 
 Oft to them didst thou unfold 
 Wond'rous things in days of old. 
 Tell me Angel, tell me where 
 Rises Israel's cloud-borne stair ? 
 
 I have heard a tale of old, 
 
 Of a marv'lous ladder told 
 
 One whose steps are seven times seven . 
 Reaching from the Earth to Heaven, 
 Seen by Patriarchal seers, 
 In the old and mystic years. 
 Thither would I haste and climb, 
 To its utmost rounds sublime: 
 
 Step by step go up, and know 
 
 Things of life unseen below; 
 
 31 
 
THE LADDER OF BETHEL. 
 
 Clasp descending Angel's hando, 
 Climb with their ascending bands, 
 To the empyrean sphere 
 
 Where the jasper walls appear 
 
 Pass the sapphire pillars there, 
 And the pearl-brought portals fair, 
 Glorious gatc.s that ever stand 
 
 Open toward the other land 
 
 Enter there, and be at rest 
 In the mansions of the blest. 
 Wherefore Angel, tell me where 
 IB the place of Beth-el's stair, 
 
 Uriel; 
 
 Mortal, on no earthly land 
 Doth this holy ladder stand. 
 Tho' thou search o'er land and sea, 
 Vain shall all thy labor be, 
 Yet by those on mortal ground 
 
 May its heavenward steps be found 
 
 Upright as the plummet's line, 
 
 Rise its two supports divine 
 
 Love and wisdom; strong and fast 
 
 Types of those by Hiram cast, 
 
 32 
 
THE LADDER OF BETH EL. 
 
 Matched in harmony sublime, 
 
 Seth beheld them in his time 
 
 Cloud and fire, supremely grand, 
 Hosts of Isrsel saw them stand. 
 
 Still they rise, and ever there, 
 All the numbered rounds they bear, 
 Three and five, and seven and nine, 
 
 As the Sephiroth divine * 
 
 Principal of which are three, 
 Faith, and Hope, and Charity. 
 
 As of old, now even so, 
 Angels on them come and go: 
 Only there may none descend, 
 
 Save that some do first ascend 
 
 As the seer beheld them there, 
 Pass they yet on Beth el's stair, 
 
 Salathiel: 
 
 Tell what Angels did he see ? 
 Would the same appear to me ? 
 Tell me why at Luz alone 
 Was this sacred ladder shown ? 
 
THE LADDER OP BETH EL. 
 
 Wherefore only then and there, 
 
 Man hatn seen this heav'n built stair? 
 
 Uriel: 
 
 Angels three beheld he there, 
 Friends of Abraham they were, 
 Who on holy mission bent, 
 Feasted at the Patriarch's tent, 
 Showing forth these, virtues three, 
 Faith, and Hope, and Charity: 
 
 And for purposes the same, 
 
 Thro' the earth still went and came; 
 
 Thro'the world, and also there, 
 
 Up and down on Beth-el's stair. 
 
 Salathiel: 
 
 Didst thou not declare to me, 
 None these stairs on earth may see ? 
 But thou sayst they may be found, 
 Yet by those on mortal ground ! 
 Wherefore hast thou spoken so ? 
 Who can hence thy meaning know? 
 All this riddle now declare, 
 Touching Beth-el's mystic stair, 
 
 34 
 
THE LADDER OF BETH-EL. 
 
 Uriel; 
 
 If thy soul will come with me, 
 Thou canst well this ladder see. 
 All its form behold, and know 
 How the Angels come and go, 
 Only thou must tread the ground 
 Which the seer by Haran found, 
 Of its stones thy pillow make; 
 Choosing those that he did take; 
 And thy cruise of oil prepare, 
 As did he at Beth el's stair. 
 
 Salathiel: 
 
 How shall I the road endure 
 Till I scrip and purse procure ? 
 See ! M:/ raiment worn and old 
 Shelters not from heat or cold: 
 Tempests on my head will beat, 
 Rocks and brambles tear my feet. 
 I must furnish hood and cloak, 
 Girdle strong and staff of oak, 
 Robe of stuff for pilgrim meet, 
 Cords and sandals for my feet, 
 Ere I on this journey fare. 
 To the place of Bethel's stair, 
 
 35 
 
THE LADDER OF BETH EL. 
 
 Uriel: 
 
 Nay, for those who go with me, 
 
 Neither clad nor naked be 
 
 Those who gain that blessed land, 
 Neither shod nor barefoot stand; 
 Neither canst thou there, indeed, 
 Poverty or riches plead. 
 
 If to go thy heart incline, 
 Gird thee with this cord of mine 
 With humility and love, 
 Put thy trust in One above. 
 Naked knee and bosom bare, 
 Thou mayst come to Beth-el's stair. 
 
 If to sanctify thy rest, 
 Oil of Love thy heart hath blest, 
 If thy pillow be in sooth 
 Of the chosen stones of Truth: 
 Thou mayst see in vision true 
 Holy things the patriarchs knew. 
 Thou mayst see that ladder rise 
 From the earth, to reach the skies 
 
 36 
 
THE LADDER OF BETH EL. 
 
 See those beauteous angels three, 
 Bringing precious gifts for thee. 
 Thou mayst say upon this spot, 
 God is here ! I knew it not ! 
 This, as. God's own house I see; 
 This the gate of Heaven for me 
 
 As the Seer did here declare, 
 
 Looking up 
 
 on Beth-el's stair. 
 
 This poem was published in "Square and Compass" 
 in March, 1895, but may have been written at a much 
 earlier date. 
 
 37 
 
DIRGE. 
 
 Direful death! 
 
 Thy guage of terror 
 
 Spares the hearts 
 
 Of mortals never 
 
 Shall thy weapon 
 
 Smite forever ? 
 
 Who can pass 
 
 Thy square tremendous ? 
 
 Who Confront 
 
 Thy maul stupendous ? 
 
 Who deliver 
 
 Or defend us ? 
 Helpless, hopeless 
 In confusion, 
 Face to face 
 With dissolution; 
 All must end 
 With life's illusion. 
 
 41 
 
DIRGE. 
 
 Righteous Judge, 
 
 We dare implore Thee, 
 
 Quick and dead 
 
 Are here before Thee 
 
 Wilt Thou save, 
 
 O King of glory ? 
 
 Thou canst 'suage 
 
 Our desperation 
 
 Thou Almighty 
 In creation; 
 So, Almighty 
 In salvation! 
 
 Hark ! th' Omnific 
 Word from Zion 
 See ! the sign 
 Of life undying. 
 Hail ! the grasp 
 Of Judah's Lion I 
 
 42 
 
DIRGE. 
 
 Blessed Death ! 
 Thy shrouded portal 
 Opens toward 
 
 The realms immortal 
 
 There the loved, 
 
 And lost, are found 
 
 Glory be to God 
 
 Eternal ! 
 
 Glory to the Word 
 
 Supernal ! 
 
 There the capstone lost, 
 
 Is found. 
 
 Glory to ttye Love 
 
 Supernal. 
 
 Glory to the Word 
 
 Eternal ! 
 
 All by Love, the capstone, 
 
 Crowned. 
 
 43 
 
D I R G E. ( NO. 2. ) 
 
 Woe ! woe, for the lost 
 
 v/ho have gone: 
 Who sink in t^e gloom of the 
 
 infinite night 
 
 The night which hath never 
 
 a dawn; 
 We shrink from their graves as they 
 
 pass from our sight, 
 To the shades where our fathers 
 
 have gone, 
 
 Woe ! woe, for the loving 
 
 forlorn 
 
 The bleeding hearts riven by sorrow 
 
 and pain, 
 In dust and in ashes they 
 
 mourn; 
 And strive to recall their beloved 
 
 again, 
 
 From the land where our fathers 
 have gone. 
 44 
 
DIRGE. 
 
 Joy ! joy, for the lost who have 
 
 gone, 
 They have passed from our gloom 
 
 to the infinite light 
 
 They hail the unspeakable 
 
 dawn - 
 The Day-spring which rises o'er sorrow 
 
 and night, 
 In the Home where our fathers have 
 
 gone. 
 
 Joy ! joy, for the loving and 
 
 lorn 
 
 For the ashes and dust unto them 
 
 shall be given, 
 The wine, and the oil and the 
 
 corn 
 
 The bleeding hearts never again shall 
 
 be riven, 
 In the land where our fathers have 
 
 gone. 
 
 The two dirges given here were among his last productions; 
 composed for the Burial Service of the Grand Lodge of Colora 
 do, about 1895. 
 
 45 
 
ABRAHAM 
 
 LINCOLN. 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Gone are the days of his glory, 
 
 Days when the multitude listened, 
 With Senates in wisdom assembled, 
 
 Words of the leader to hear. 
 Fallen is the chief; and his mantle, 
 Cast on the choice of his people, 
 Presses like Saul's heavy armor, 
 
 None of the striplings might bear. 
 
 Nay, 'tis the day of his glory 
 
 Gone but the Senates that listened 
 
 His is the day of humanity, 
 
 Rising henceforth to its fullness 
 
 Nov/ doth its brightness draw near; 
 Some may be rulers of senates, 
 
 Some rule the turbulent present 
 
 He shall be master of ages, 
 Sending the voice of his presence. 
 
 On thro' the ports of the years. 
 
 49 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Death, when he smiteth the greatest. 
 
 Pauses till Earth shall take notice 
 
 Waits till the hearts of a nation 
 
 Bleed at one stroke of his hand. 
 Death, ere he smote him, the greatest, 
 
 Paused till the world had elected 
 
 Held the dread blow, till a nation 
 
 Quailed at the sweep of his brand. 
 
 Death, in thy harvest unceasing, 
 Where dost thou garner thy reapings? 
 Hast thou a place in thy keeping 
 
 Where thou dost treasure thy sheaves ? 
 Death, in thy harvest unceasing, 
 When thou hadst smitten the chieftain, 
 Didst thou not pause with thy reapers 
 Until thou hadst fitted a casket 
 
 Worthy such spoil to receive ? 
 
 50 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 
 
 Death, in the sheaves of thy quiver, 
 Hadst thou no shaft to be wielded, 
 Save by the red hand of murder, 
 
 Stained with the blood of all crime ? 
 Hadst thou of all thy grim ministers 
 None that would serve at thy bidding, 
 Save this foul demon of murder, 
 
 Damned with the curse of all time ? 
 Saving fell murder and treason, 
 
 Shaming all hell with their crime ? 
 
 Well might a nation in trembling. 
 Ruler and captain and people, 
 Aged and stripling assembling, 
 
 Walk in the sorrowing train ! 
 Walk with the badges of sadness, 
 Walk to the semi-toned wailing, 
 
 Poured in the funeral strain: 
 Strain which all instruments sounding 
 Caught from all spirits surrounding 
 
 Tones of all anguish and pain, 
 
 51 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Slowly, mournfully, 'bear him 
 On, by the river and highland, 
 On, by the field and the homestead. 
 
 On, by the forest and plain; 
 Homesteads of freemen, his fellows, 
 Fields of their labors and glories, 
 River and highland and forest, 
 Spread for humanity's empire, 
 
 Liberty's ample domain. 
 
 Slowly, mournfully, warriors, 
 
 Cast ye the brotherly token 
 
 Brave was the spirit and noble, 
 Firm was the arm that is broken, 
 
 Warm was the heart that is cold- 
 Slowly, mournfully, sages, 
 Heap ye the dust on his bosom; 
 Dust that was form of your master. 
 
 Now shall the sepulchre hold. 
 
 52 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Mournfully, slowly, philanthropists, 
 Set ye the stones of his sepulchre 
 Plant, all ye friends of humanity, 
 
 Evergreens round him and o'er: 
 Lost have ye toilers and friendless, 
 
 Brother and champion and more - 
 Slowly, silently, mournfully 
 Backward all from his presence 
 
 Leave him to rest while his country 
 Waits at his feet evermore. 
 
 Oak, do thou guard well his resting, 
 For thou art noble and mighty, 
 And thou dost buffet the tempests 
 
 As he did buffet the storm. 
 Pine, cast thy shadow above him, 
 For thou over-towerest thy fellows, 
 So did he tower among others, 
 
 Such were his spirit and form. 
 
 53 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Vine, do thou twine round his headstone, 
 For thy rich spirit brings gladness 
 So did the light of his presence 
 
 Crown with thy clusters his tomb: 
 Rose, do thou bend o'er his bosom. 
 
 Ever thou sheddest sweet odors 
 
 Such did the bloom of his virtues 
 
 Shed o'er his heart thy perfume; 
 
 Violet, shine at his footstone, 
 For humble and pure is thy bloom. 
 
 Death, when thy harvest is ended, 
 When thou thy spoil must surrender, 
 Wilt thou not wrestle with Michael, 
 
 Even as that spirit of old 
 Wrestle with strength for him also, 
 Even as the spirit of Evil 
 
 Wrestled for Moses of old? 
 Yes, but thy hand must deliver - 
 
 54 
 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 All from thy grasp shall the Giver 
 Take, both the least and the greatest; 
 
 Naught of thy prey shalt thou hold 
 This though thou clasp to the latest, 
 
 Still shall come forth from thy hold. 
 
 Slowly, mournfully, bear him 
 
 On to the hill everlasting 
 
 Where it looks forth to the day-spring, 
 
 Proud and serene as his fame 
 
 Looks o'er the green-vested prairies, 
 Broad as his boundless benevolence, 
 
 Calmly serene as his fame; 
 There with his people before him, 
 Statesmen and patriots lower him: 
 Well may ye bend o'er the ashes, 
 
 Who walked in the light of the flame. 
 
 55 
 
LINCOLN' S BURIAL, 
 
LINCOLN' S BURIAL, 
 
 They laid him in the low-arched tomb, 
 
 Between the brook and curving hill. 
 The slender oaks stand silent all, 
 The sunlight and the shadows fall, 
 Around him sweet and still. 
 
 The brook a tale, in symbols told, 
 
 Repeats along the winding dell 
 The story of his humble birth, 
 The constancy and manly worth, 
 
 Which made him loved so well. 
 
 59 
 
LINCOLN'S BURIAL. 
 
 The May flowers gem the circling crest, 
 
 As jewels of his martyr crown; 
 Or like fond eyes with tear-drops dim, 
 The human eyes that weep for him, 
 Their azure disks look down. 
 
 Where hundreds of his people sleep 
 
 In nameless sepulchres around, 
 'Tis well that he who loved them best, 
 The Shepherd with his flock should rest, 
 In that secluded ground. 
 
 O tiny stream of all on Earth, 
 
 Mayst thou with melodies draw near ? 
 
 O simple flowers, of all that shine 
 
 Were ye alone ordained to twine 
 A garland for his bier ? 
 
 60 
 
LINCOLN'S BURIAL. 
 
 O, holy hours, pass stilly o'er 
 
 That silent city of the dead I 
 That angels catch the softest sigh* 
 Of Pilgrim mourners kneeling by 
 The Patriot-Martyr's bed. 
 
 Note: 
 
 The first of these two poems was written soon after Lincoln's 
 death, and appeared in the Washington Chronicle, and later in 
 other papers. The last poem was composed after the entomb 
 ment, and was published in papers of the date, and lately, with 
 Eugene Parsons' Poets of Colorado in The Trail. (Aug. 1919.) 
 
 Bromwell, who was a member of Congress at the time, at 
 tended the burial, being Grand Master, and marched with oth 
 er members of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and many Masonic 
 lodges. 
 
 He left Washington for Illinois several days before, and was 
 to have returned eastward to meet the other members of the 
 Illinois delegation, and the body, at an intermediate point, and 
 join the escort to place of burial. 
 
 But, on reaching Springfield, he found the town in great dis 
 tress, the people prostrated with sorrow. Many public officials 
 had gone to meet the escort, and no one seemed to have courage 
 to begin the work of draping the interior of the Capitol, or of 
 
 61 
 
LINCOLN'S BURIAL. 
 
 the hall where the bier must be erected; he knew that 
 this should be prepared in a fine style, and he at once 
 found the architect of the State House, and also the art 
 ist George Wright, ( a painter of Lincoln,) and together 
 they planned a most beautiful arrangement. 
 
 So, instead of going back, to return with the others, 
 Bomwell stopped in Springfield, working, with the peo 
 ple, day and night, without sleep, and almost without 
 food. He cut out all the silver stars which he placed in 
 the clouds of black crepe over and about the catafalque, 
 hung: the curtains of velvet, and the work was finished 
 but shortly before the sounding whistle of the train her 
 alded the arrival of the escort with the body. 
 
 As they viewed their lovely, harmonious, completed de 
 sign, Bromwcll, (who knew the General,) suggested that 
 they send out for spikes, and fasten the catafalque down 
 so the composition could not be changed; this was done, 
 and he drove in the first ones, Wright and the others fol 
 lowing, until all were in the floor, six on each side. 
 
 So soon as the body arrived, the General gave a com 
 mand to have the head turned the other way. 
 
 A squad of soldiers moved upon it with gusto, but it 
 remained firm, and the General experienced the pain of 
 changing his mind.