Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

MASONIC OATH. 143
" this nether empire" " to prevent the living from entering
the infernal regions, and the dead from escaping."
u Cerberus hec ingens latratu regna trifauci
u Personat adveno recubans immanin in antro."
Entid, vi. 417.
A fit guardian of fit place. Every degree has its oath, and
each concludes with a penalty horrid in the extreme.
A dread of the light, whatever else, is plainly shadowed
forth in this anxious care to close every avenue to the dark
vault of the lodge. Cacus had not more bolts, and locks,
and levers, to his secret mansion, than Masonry has to hers.
I shall not push them back, not turn a key, not slip a bolt;
there is a way to her dwelling very like that by which Hercules
came upon the thief of his heifers; he overturned the
mountain beneath which the rogue had his dwelling; and
" The court of Cacus stands revealed to tight,
u The cavern glares with new admitted light'*—Drgdetu
Masonry, covered with a mountain of pretensions, and
having for her dwelling a secret lodge, with only one avenue,
guarded by imprecating sprites, of whom harpies and
gorgons are not unsuitable emblems, rejoices in her security,
and glories in her strength. Though a mortal may
evade her wiles, and find an open entrance; though he
may, fearless of the consequences, give a key to every lock,
and set the door open wide for those who will to enter, she
still sits a queen in the darkness; her throne is unshaken;
her canopy of pretensions defends her. It is that capopy
which this work is intended to overthrow.
u Et Caci detecta appaniit ingens
" Regis, et umbrosae penitus patuere oaveroae."
J£n«e\ viii.241.