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...RHOECUS by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE BEAN-STALK by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY SWEET MEETING OF DESIRES by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE THE TRAMPS by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE VARIUM ET MUTABILE by THOMAS WYATT WHEN HELEN LIVED by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS TOLEDO CAPTURED BY THE FRANKS by AL-ASSAL |