Nets to Catch the Wind — The Church-Bell

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.