Elizabeth Barrett Browning - Rhyme Of The Duchess May lyrics

To the belfry, one by one, went
The ringers from the sun
     Toll slowly
And the oldest ringer said
"Ours is music for the dead
   When the rebecks are all done"

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

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

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 it's way

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

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