University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
 

collapse section
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OH! CEASE THOSE BELLS.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


68

OH! CEASE THOSE BELLS.

I

Oh! cease those bells their jocund sound,
To me they are discordant now;
It cheer'd me once to hear their bound
Float, pealing o'er the crowd below.

II

But times are changed—and hark! they wake
Thoughts, which in mercy sometimes sleep—
And sad remembrances, which make
Deep furrows o'er my faded cheek.

III

Then hush those deep-toned bells—oh, hush
The mem'ries which ye still do bring;
Fairest of flowers—the maiden's blush—
In yon cold vault lies withering.

IV

Cease—cease to vibrate on mine ear;
Ah! pause ye o'er the silent dead:
No sound should mingle with the tear
A mother's love alone may shed.