Sonnets Round the Coast by H. D. Rawnsley |
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OLD SKEGNESS CHURCH. |
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V. OLD SKEGNESS CHURCH.
They built thee in far meadows, for their dreadOf greedy waves against the sea-bank rolled;
They set thee 'twixt the waters and the wold,
And to thy church-yard frequent bridges led.
Here weekly prayer the hind or fisher said,
A single bell the deaths and weddings told,
And twice a year they moved with tears the mould,
Twice in the year came laughing to be wed.
Half seen, the preacher from the pulpit's jaw
Still pleads God's blessing and explains His law;
Close to the roof men still on Sabbath sing,
Where in the week-day doves with murmur cling:
On walls of decent white, rude-lettered, see
God's ten commands in their simplicity!
| Sonnets Round the Coast | |