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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BELLS OF LYNN; HEARD AT NAHANT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Poet Analysis

First Line: O CURFEW OF THE SETTING SUN! O BELLS OF LYNN!
Last Line: LYNN!
Subject(s): BELLS; LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS;

O CURFEW of the setting sun! O Bells of Lynn!
O requiem of the dying day! O Bells of Lynn!

From the dark belfries of you cloud-cathedral wafted,
Your sounds aerial seem to float, O Bells of Lynn!

Borne on the evening wind across the crimson twilight,
O'er land and sea they rise and fall, O Bells of Lynn!

The fisherman in his boat, far out beyond the headland,
Listens, and leisurely rows ashore, O Bells of Lynn!

Over the shining sands the wandering cattle homeward

Follow each other at your call, O Bells of Lynn!

The distant lighthouse hears, and with his flaming signal
Answers you, passing the watchword on,
O Bells of Lynn!

And down the darkening coast run the tumultuous surges,
And clap their hands, and shout to you, O
Bells of Lynn!

Till from the shuddering sea, with your wild incantations,
Ye summon up the spectral moon, O Bells of Lynn!

And startled at the sight, like the weird woman of Endor,
Ye cry aloud, and then are still, O Bells of
Lynn!



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