THE old man sits in his easy-chair, And his ear has caught the ringing Of many a church-bell far and near, Their own sweet music singing. And his head sinks low on the aged breast, While his thoughts far back are reaching To the Sabbath morns of his boyish days And a mother's sacred teaching. A few years later, and lo! the bells A merrier strain were pealing, And heavenward bore the marriage vows Which his manhood's joys were sealing. But the old man's eyes are dimming now, As memory holds before him The sad, sad picture of later years, When the tide of grief rolled o'er him; When the bells were tolling for loved ones gone, -- For the wife, the sons and daughters, Who, one by one, from his home went out, And down into death's dark waters. But the aged heart has still one joy Which his old life daily blesses, And his eyes grow bright and his pulses warm 'Neath a grandchild's sweet caresses. But the old man wakes from his reverie, And his dear old face is smiling, While the child with her serious eyes reads on, The Sabbath hours beguiling. Ah! bells, once more ye will ring for him, When the heavenly hand shall sever The cord of life, and his freed soul flies To dwell with his own forever. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FUNERAL HYMN by LOUIS UNTERMEYER DAISY by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE HABIT OF PERFECTION by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 17. THE DIFFICULT ADVENTURE by PHILIP AYRES CHRISTMAS GIFTS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ASOLANDO: THE POPE AND THE NET by ROBERT BROWNING |