Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | ||
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 wakeThoughts, 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, hushThe 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.
Poems and Songs by E. H. B. [i.e. E. H. Bickersteth] | ||