Jessie B. Rittenhouse, ed. (1869–1948). The Second Book of Modern Verse. 1922.

Chanson of the Bells of Osenèy

THE BELLS of Osenèy

(Hautclère, Doucement, Austyn)

Chant sweetly every day,

And sadly, for our sin.

The bells of Osenèy

(John, Gabriel, Marie)

Chant lowly,

Chant slowly,

Chant wistfully and holy

Of Christ, our Paladin.

Hautclère chants to the East

(His tongue is silvery high),

And Austyn like a priest

Sends west a weighty cry.

But Doucement set between

(Like an appeasive nun)

Chants cheerly,

Chants clearly,

As if Christ heard her nearly,

A plea to every sky.

A plea that John takes up

(He is the evangelist)

Till Gabriel’s angel cup

Pours sound to sun or mist.

And last of all Marie

(The virgin-voice of God)

Peals purely,

Demurely,

And with a tone so surely

Divine, that all must hear.

The bells of Osenèy

(Doucement, Austyn, Hautclère)

Pour ever day by day

Their peals on the rapt air;

And with their mellow mates

(John, Gabriel, Marie)

Tell slowly,

Tell lowly,

Of Christ the High and Holy,

Who makes the whole world fair.