No More Learning

_
And the oldest ringer said, "Ours is music for the dead
When the rebecks are all done. "

II.

Six abeles i' the churchyard grow on the north side in a row,
_Toll slowly. _
And the shadows of their tops rock across the little slopes
Of the grassy graves below.

III.

On the south side and the west a small river runs in haste,
_Toll slowly. _
And, between the river flowing and the fair green trees a-growing,
Do the dead lie at their rest.

IV.

On the east I sate that day, up against a willow grey:
_Toll slowly. _
Through the rain of willow-branches I could see the low hill-ranges
And the river on its way.

V.

There I sate beneath the tree, and the bell tolled solemnly,
_Toll slowly. _
While the trees' and river's voices flowed between the solemn noises,--
Yet death seemed more loud to me.

VI.

There I read this ancient rhyme while the bell did all the time
_Toll slowly.
_
And the solemn knell fell in with the tale of life and sin,
Like a rhythmic fate sublime.


THE RHYME.


I.

Broad the forests stood (I read) on the hills of Linteged,
_Toll slowly. _
And three hundred years had stood mute adown each hoary wood,
Like a full heart having prayed.

II.

And the little birds sang east, and the little birds sang west,
_Toll slowly. _
And but little thought was theirs of the silent antique years,
In the building of their nest.

III.

Down the sun dropt large and red on the towers of Linteged,--
_Toll slowly. _
Lance and spear upon the height, bristling strange in fiery light,
While the castle stood in shade.

IV.

There the castle stood up black with the red sun at its back--
_Toll slowly_--
Like a sullen smouldering pyre with a top that flickers fire
When the wind is on its track.

V.

And five hundred archers tall did besiege the castle wall--
_Toll slowly. _
And the castle, seethed in blood, fourteen days and nights had stood
And to-night was near its fall.