Classic Poem

As workmen left their work of day,
That call'd for light to keep it on,
And now the sun had sunk away
Adown the sky that faded wan,
O'er leaning slopes, the slopes that lean
Towards the hill, the hill grey-green,
I saw on Wydon-ridge's breast
The clump of elms—and knew the rest.

The rest—that down the other side
Of Wydon-hill, the river ran
By Wycombe doors, onpurling wide
Below bridge-arches' high-bow'd span,
And there was heard, I there could hear
A peal of bells, of five bells clear;
From o'er the church for worship blest
I heard the bells—and knew the rest.

The rest—that there, a dear good maid
Was led to church that day forenoon,
Jane Dean, below the morning shade,
Jane Dean, ere yet arose the moon.
A happy day, a day well blest
To him that Jenny liked the best;
Gay rang the bells, the bells rang joy
To good John Hine without alloy;
But some there were with troubled breast;
I heard the bells—and knew the rest.

The rest—that John's dear mother lost
Her only child in that good lad,
Who took to Jenny's father's cost
The only child he ever had.
The old were sad, as sad to sing
A bird becomes with one poor wing;
The old were sad, and yet were blest
That day—and now you know the rest.