THE BELL IN THE TOWER.
I HEAR the bell in the high church-tower
Striking the hour;
The hushed Night hearkens like one who stands
In sudden awe with uplifted hands.
Striking the hour;
The hushed Night hearkens like one who stands
In sudden awe with uplifted hands.
A Spirit up in the tower doth dwell,
And when the bell
Peals out the hours with a measured chime,
I hear him turning the sands of time.
And when the bell
Peals out the hours with a measured chime,
I hear him turning the sands of time.
He says: "Life dieth with every breath;"
Whispers of death:
"It is the fall of the flower of earth;
The promise-seed of immortal birth."
Whispers of death:
"It is the fall of the flower of earth;
The promise-seed of immortal birth."
He speaks to the striving world below:
"Why do ye so?
Will all the treasure that hand can hold
Buy sweeter sleep in the churchyard mould?
"Why do ye so?
Will all the treasure that hand can hold
Buy sweeter sleep in the churchyard mould?
"Behold one God over great and small
Judgeth ye all;
Ask Him for grace in the morning light,
And pray for pardon and peace at night."
Judgeth ye all;
Ask Him for grace in the morning light,
And pray for pardon and peace at night."
Oh, while I listen my whole soul bows,
Paying her vows,
And folly fleeth with sinful fear
As those clear bell-strokes fall on my ear.
Paying her vows,
And folly fleeth with sinful fear
As those clear bell-strokes fall on my ear.
For not more solemn the holy chimes
In other times
That help the faithful to pray aright,
And put the spirits of air to flight.
In other times
That help the faithful to pray aright,
And put the spirits of air to flight.
And ever, ever would I be near
Daily to hear,
Daily and nightly, in work or rest,
The voice that pierces and soothes my breast.
Daily to hear,
Daily and nightly, in work or rest,
The voice that pierces and soothes my breast.