 | Lyra Pastoralis |  |
47
The Saxon Sundial and Cross
ABOVE THE DOOR OF LONDESBOROUGH CHURCH
Beneath the arch which crowns the door
Of our grey Church upon the wold
An antique Dial, quaint and hoar,
Tells of the silent days of old.
Of our grey Church upon the wold
An antique Dial, quaint and hoar,
Tells of the silent days of old.
A thousand circling years have flown,
With all their chronicle of care,
Since the rude Saxon carved this stone
To mark the hours of work and prayer.
With all their chronicle of care,
Since the rude Saxon carved this stone
To mark the hours of work and prayer.
Sunbeams a thousand years ago
Threw shadows on this Dial's face,
And busy men passed to and fro,
And, like those shadows, left no trace.
Threw shadows on this Dial's face,
And busy men passed to and fro,
And, like those shadows, left no trace.
Day after day the punctual shade
Around the Dial softly crept,
And at its call men knelt and prayed,
Rose, laboured, rested, ate, and slept.
Around the Dial softly crept,
And at its call men knelt and prayed,
Rose, laboured, rested, ate, and slept.
But right above the Dial stands,
And has stood, while the centuries rolled,
A carven Cross, from Saxon hands,
With interlacings manifold.
And has stood, while the centuries rolled,
A carven Cross, from Saxon hands,
With interlacings manifold.
O'er shifting Time the Cross presides,
And speaks of hope to sinful dust;
Unchanged the blessèd Sign abides
As is the Love in which men trust.
And speaks of hope to sinful dust;
Unchanged the blessèd Sign abides
As is the Love in which men trust.
48
Whoe'er has scanned this Dial-stone
Beheld the wreathèd Cross above,
And with the fleeting hour was shown
The symbol of God's steadfast love.
Beheld the wreathèd Cross above,
And with the fleeting hour was shown
The symbol of God's steadfast love.
Lord, ever let that Sign be seen
Above me, while I work and pray;
And my swift hours will glide serene,
And waft me to Eternal day!
Above me, while I work and pray;
And my swift hours will glide serene,
And waft me to Eternal day!
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