RING OUT, WILD BELLS. RING out, wild bells, to the wild sky, Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more; Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, And ancient forms of party strife; Ring in the nobler modes of life, With sweeter manners, purer laws. Ring out the want, the care, the sin, Ring out false pride in place and blood, Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, ALFRED TENNYSON. Duty. ODE TO DUTY. TERN Daughter of the Voice of God! O Duty! if that name thou love To check the erring, and reprove : Thou, who art victory and law When empty terrors overawe ; From vain temptations dost set free; And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! There are who ask not if thine eye Be on them; who, in love and truth, Where no misgiving is, rely Upon the genial sense of youth; Glad hearts! without reproach or blot; Who do thy work, and know it not Oh! if through confidence misplaced They fail, thy saving arms, dread Power! around them cast! |