William Lisle Bowles (1762–1850)

(“Written on landing at Ostend, and hearing, very early in the morning, the Carillons”)

HOW sweet the tuneful bells’ responsive peal!

As when, at opening morn, the fragrant breeze

Breathes on the trembling sense of wan disease,

So piercing to my heart their force I feel!

And hark! with lessening cadence now they fall,

And now, along the white and level tide,

They fling their melancholy music wide,

Bidding me many a tender thought recall

Of summer days, and those delightful years

When by my native streams, in life’s fair prime,

The mournful magic of their mingling chime

First waked my wondering childhood into tears!

But seeming now, when all those days are o’er,

The sounds of joy once heard, and heard no more!