THESABBATHBELLS

thesabbathbells

(summer,1796.textof1818)

thecheerfulsabbathbells,whereverheard,

strikepleasantonthesense,mostlikethevoice

ofone,whofromthefar-offhillsproclaims

tidingsofgoodtozion:chieflywhen

theirpiercingtonesfallsuddenontheear

ofthecontemplant,solitaryman,

whomthoughtsabstruseorhighhavechancedtolure

forthfromthewalksofmen,revolvingoft,

andoftagain,hardmatter,whicheludes

andbaffleshispursuit—thought-sickandtired

ofcontroversy,wherenoendappears,

nocluetohisresearch,thelonelyman

halfwishesforsocietyagain.

him,thusengaged,thesabbathbellssalute

sudden!hisheartawakes,hisearsdrinkin

thecheeringmusic;hisrelentingsoul

yearnsafterallthejoysofsociallife,

andsoftenswiththeloveofhumankind.