Of the Masonic Cable Tow
       by W. A. Spalding 

How long is your cable-tow, brother?
Does it span across the street?
Can it stretch the length of a hand-throw,
Or perhaps a thousand feet?

Is there any definite measure
That cold mathematics may teach
To give the scope of your cable,
And limit its ultimate reach?

For who shall count in units
Of foot, or yard or mile,
The length of a hearty handshake,
The breadth of a cheery smile;

Or estimate the distance
A human heart may go,
When a brother reaches a brother
With the length of his cable-tow?

Every one has his troubles;
Reverses and sorrows must come;
And the hour of sorest trial
Is when they are striking home;

And sickness and death are the portion
That fate allots to all—
Our brother is sitting in sackcloth,
And his face is to the wall.

Ah, then is the time propitious—
Occasion waits sublime—
For the cable reaches farther
Than at any other time.

For the pull is very little,
And it giveth strength to the strong.
How long is your cable-tow, brother?
How long ............  how long?"