THE LAY OF THE BELL.

"Vivos voco—Mortuous plango—Fulgura frango."

Fast, in its prison-walls of earth,

Awaits the mould of bakèd clay.

Up, comrades, up, and aid the birth—

THE BELL that shall be born to-day!

And wearily now,

With the sweat of the brow,

Shall the work win its grace in the master's eye,

But the blessing that hallows must come from high.