THE CHURCH-BELL

As I was lying in my bed

I heard the church-bell ring;

Before one solemn word was said

A bird began to sing.

I heard a dog begin to bark

And a bold crowing cock;

The bell, between the cold and dark,

Tolled. It was five o'clock.

The church-bell tolled, and the bird sang,

A clear true voice he had;

The cock crew, and the church-bell rang,

I knew it had gone mad.

A hand reached down from the dark skies,

It took the bell-rope thong,

The bell cried “Look! Lift up your eyes!”

The clapper shook to song.

The iron clapper laughed aloud,

Like clashing wind and wave;

The bell cried out “Be strong and proud!”

Then, with a shout, “Be brave!”

The rumbling of the market-carts,

The pounding of men's feet

Were drowned in song; “Lift up your hearts!”

The sound was loud and sweet.

Slow and slow the great bell swung,

It hung in the steeple mute;

And people tore its living tongue

Out by the very root.