Thirteenth Century The bells of Oseney (Hautclere, Doucement, Austyn) Chant sweetly every day, And sadly, for our sin. The bells of Oseney (John, Gabriel, Marie) Chant lowly, Chant slowly, Chant wistfully and holy Of Christ, our Paladin. Hautclere chants to the East (His tongue is silvery high), And Austyn like a priest Sends west a weighty cry. But Doucement set between (Like an appeasive nun) Chants cheerly, Chants clearly, As if Christ heard her nearly, A plea to every sky. A plea that John takes up (He is the evangelist) Till Gabriel's angel cup Pours sound to sun or mist. And last of all Marie (The virgin-voice of God) Peals purely, Demurely, And with a tone so surely Divine, that all must hear. The bells of Oseney (Doucement, Austyn, Hautclere) Pour ever day by day Their peals on the rapt air; And with their mellow mates (John, Gabriel, Marie) Tell slowly, Tell lowly, Of Christ the High and Holy, Who makes the whole world fair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FRAGMENTARY BLUE by ROBERT FROST LETTER TO JOSEPH WARREN by ROBERT FROST WHEN I AM DEAD by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |