Classic Poem

How sweetly, through the lengthened dell,
When wintry airs are mild and clear,
Floats chiming up the sabbath bell,
In softened echoes to the ear!
" Come, gentle neighbours, come away! "
So doth the welcome summons say;
" Come, friends and kindred, 'tis the time! "
So seems to peal the sabbath chime.

Done are the week's debasing cares,
And worldly ways and worldly will;
And earth itself an aspect wears
Like Heaven, so bright, so pure, so still!
Hark, how by turns, each mellow note,
Now low, now louder, seems to float,
And falling, with the wind's decay,
Like softest music dies away!

" And now, " it says, " where Heaven resorts,
Come, with a meek and quiet mind;
Oh, worship in these earthly courts,
But leave your earth-born thoughts behind. "
And, neighbours, while the sabbath bell
Peals slowly up the winding dell,
Come, friends and kindred, let us share
The sweet and holy rapture there.