Ages since, men heard the ringing
Of the song-bells gently swinging
In the starry domes of thought;
Long they listened to the chimes
That the poet's golden rhymes
Out of sweetest fancies wrought.

Still the tuneful bells are pealing,
Waking every holy feeling;
Still they vibrate in the past
And the poet of to-day
Hears the music far away,
Clearer than a clarion's blast!