University of Virginia Library


241

TRANSLATION OF AN INSCRIPTION PLACED UNDER THE FIRST STONE OF THE LONDON-UNIVERSITY

By the favor of God, the great builder of earth,
(Which favor we hope may be found of some worth,)
This stone, in the ground with due mystery laid,
By a Prince of the Masons' original trade,
A Prince whom the provident bounty of God
Expressly cut out for a Knight of the hod,
Midst citizens, noisy with hand and with voice,
Who, we clearly foresee, will be there to rejoice,
Begins, at length, somehow, at some time or other,
A good job for this town, and each lecturing brother,
And makes record more lasting than pencil or pen
Of us twenty five most illustrious men,
Including our builder, who stands in his place
As just one of us, in the Nominative Case.