The Church Bell
Elinor Wylie 1921
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 song 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.
