 | Impressions of Italy and Other Poems |  |
98
BELLS AT NAPLES.
Sweet Sound of bells; it steals upon mine earSoftly, enchantingly—and well may seem
The Talisman of many a thought and dream,
The Alarum of deep Sympathies! that clear
And strong return on me, while back I steer
My shadowy way along the changeful stream
Of life, to that dear point, where many a beam
Of hope shone bright—I feel no longer here!
Oh! I am where the church bells in the vale,
Mine own sweet vale, the well-known and the dear
Peal joyously or solemnly—while pale
My cheek grows with delight—then lo! the tear
Of old Affection starting, doth avail
But to dispel the Illusion,—and its cheer!
| Impressions of Italy and Other Poems | |