MIDNIGHT BELLS.

SOFTLY, sadly the bells are tolling,

Waves on waves of their sound come rolling,

Over the dales and leas;

Billows working their mystic scrolling

On coral domes in idle strolling

Sound thus o'er Eastern seas.

Faintly, slowly the notes are stealing

Far o'er vales where their joyous pealing

Echoes at early dawn;

Now they carry a lonesome feeling,

Mournfully floating as if revealing

Grief for the day just gone.

Nightly booming, a sound like thunder,

Melting to music that makes one ponder,

Floodeth the valley o'er;

The spirit breaks its bonds asunder,

Through realms of thought it loves to wander,

And roam on Lethe's shore.

Mellow chimes the bells are ringing,

To my soul strange sadness bringing,

Cadence for peace unknown;

Round my heart the spell is clinging,

Far through space like censer swinging,

Earth with its sighs seems flown.

BONTEMPS.