Nets to Catch the Wind

<h3> <SPAN name="bell"></SPAN> THE CHURCH-BELL<br/> </h3> <p class="poem"> As I was lying in my bed<br/> I heard the church-bell ring;<br/> Before one solemn word was said<br/> A bird began to sing.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> I heard a dog begin to bark<br/> And a bold crowing cock;<br/> The bell, between the cold and dark,<br/> Tolled. It was five o'clock.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> The church-bell tolled, and the bird sang,<br/> A clear true voice he had;<br/> The cock crew, and the church-bell rang,<br/> I knew it had gone mad.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> A hand reached down from the dark skies,<br/> It took the bell-rope thong,<br/> The bell cried "Look! Lift up your eyes!"<br/> The clapper shook to song.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> The iron clapper laughed aloud,<br/> Like clashing wind and wave;<br/> The bell cried out "Be strong and proud!"<br/> Then, with a shout, "Be brave!"<br/></p> <p class="poem"> The rumbling of the market-carts,<br/> The pounding of men's feet<br/> Were drowned in song; "Lift up your hearts!"<br/> The sound was loud and sweet.<br/></p> <p class="poem"> Slow and slow the great bell swung,<br/> It hung in the steeple mute;<br/> And people tore its living tongue<br/> Out by the very root.<br/></p> <p><br/><br/><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />