Poems (Terry, 1861)/Bell-songs. No. 1

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BELL-SONGS. No. 1. "Funera plango."
Toll, toll, toll! soar, thou passing bell,Over meadows green and quiet,Over towns where life runs riot;Do thine errand well!Sing thy message, sad and calm,Cold and holy as a psalm,Hush us with thy knell!
Toll, toll, toll! over wind and wave:Through the sunshine's sudden fading,Through the pine-tree's voice upbraiding,Where the wild seas rave.Snow-drifts for the Summer wait;Slumber for the desolate;Silence in the grave.
Toll, toll, toll! through the quivering sky;Chime thy song of wintry weather;Cruel, through this rapturous ether,Call the bride to die. ​Chill, with thy relentless tongue,Eyes that smiled and lips that sung;Bid delight good-bye.
Toll, toll, toll! heaven is in the sound!Sad alone to souls unready.They whose lamps were trimmed and steadyChrist rejoicing found.On thy rolling waves of toneFloat I to the Master's throne.Life and love abound.
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