| “Me melior vere non est campana sub ere.” |
Inscriptions in English are often quaint and curious. Here is one from Somerset:—
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“My treble voice Makes hearts rejoice.” |
Another self-complacent bell asserts—
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“If you have a judicious ear, You’ll own my voice is sweet and clear.” |
Loyal inscriptions are often found, such as—
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“For Church and King We always ring.” “I was made in hope to ring At the crownacion of our King.” “Ye people all that hear me ring Be faithful to your God and King.” |
A bell that has been recast sometimes praises the merits of its new founder at the expense of its first maker, as at Badgworth, Gloucester:—
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“Badgworth ringers they are mad, Because Rigbe made me bad; But Abel Rudhall you may see Hath made me better than Rigbe.” |
Sometimes all the bells which compose a peal tell their various uses. Thus at Bakewell we find some verses on each bell:—