Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CHURCH-BELL, by ELINOR WYLIE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As I was lying in my bed Last Line: Out by the very root. Alternate Author Name(s): Benet, William Rose, Mrs. Subject(s): Bells | ||||||||
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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 3. FEEDING THE RABBITS by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 4. THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE HOURS; FOR INGRID ERHARDT, 1951-1971 by NORMAN DUBIE SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: J. MILTON MILES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE SPIRE CRANES by DYLAN THOMAS KING DAVID by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET VICTORY BELLS by GRACE HAZARD CONKLING THE BELL by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER; ON TURNING LATIN VERSE INTO ENGLISH by ELINOR WYLIE |
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