 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
4
THE BELL FOR EARLY MASS
FROM THE JESUIT CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH, LUCERNE
The Reuss ran hushed and silent beneath the morn,
The city lay in slumber, and there fell
Forth from St. Joseph's tower an iron knell,
And the wall-echoes from their rest were drawn;
Far up the lake, far o'er the mountain lawn
The clangour of that iron-mouthèd bell
Went circling. Shepherds on far heights could tell
That prayer would soon on trembling wings be borne;
The city lay in slumber, and there fell
Forth from St. Joseph's tower an iron knell,
And the wall-echoes from their rest were drawn;
Far up the lake, far o'er the mountain lawn
The clangour of that iron-mouthèd bell
Went circling. Shepherds on far heights could tell
That prayer would soon on trembling wings be borne;
And much they blessed that messenger of good—
Only an iron stroke and quivering air,
But from the bell full Sabbath peace was given,
Lay on the waters, entered to the wood,
Made strong weak hearts and comforted despair,
And thrilled the earth with promises of Heaven.
Only an iron stroke and quivering air,
But from the bell full Sabbath peace was given,
Lay on the waters, entered to the wood,
Made strong weak hearts and comforted despair,
And thrilled the earth with promises of Heaven.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |