Original poetry

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 300, 4 September 1860, Page 4

Original poetry

THE COUNSEL OF THE BELL.

[Written after reading the "Story of the Bell" in the " Keepsake." Spake an old bell, Which long had lain and pondei'd Amidst moss-grown ruins of an ancient towr, To a young boy who to the spot had wandor'd, Wood by the beauty of day's loveliest hour. "Listen !" it said, " long years I have not spoken But slept in dreamless silence and alone, : Nought since thy birth my solitude hath broken— Nought waked the echoes of my slumbering tone. 1 marked me oft when in the old tower beading, A lovely maiden, pure as she was fair, _ To this same spot her footsteps daily wonding ; lv her hand a volume as thou now hast thero. Her thoughts I know were full of sweet devotion, ; As from her book her upward gaze was stealing, Her eyes out-speaking all her soul's emotion,— Clear as two lakelets in their bright revealing. And then 1 missed her daily visits hither, . . . Only on the sabbath saw that thoughtful brow. To.church she came, her aged father with her And her ancient playmate, bub her lover now-. And then one morning, each old niche and column Flung back my tones of merry bridal pealing; While at the altar, hcly vows and solemn . ■ Breath'd forth that maid, a happy bride there kneeling. . . ■ Two years went by, and once again my chiming Went forth-in honor of her infant's birth ; The green hill-sides gave back in gladsome rhyming The tidings oi1 a new life born to earth. That morn new life was sent—for it another ■ Was required, and helplessly was given ; Listen, oh, boy! I tell thee of thy mother,— Sho slept when thou wast born and woke in heaven!" Earnest the words which closed the bell's narration,— " Two lives ye cost,—ah, fail ye not to see,— Thy Saviour died to buy thy soul's salvation, Look to it, boy ! much is required of thee !" ZOILA.