The Poetry Corner

The Mission Bells of Monterey

By Bret Harte (Francis)

O bells that rang, O bells that sang Above the martyrs wilderness, Till from that reddened coast-line sprang The Gospel seed to cheer and bless, What are your garnered sheaves to-day? O Mission bells! Eleison bells! O Mission bells of Monterey! O bells that crash, O bells that clash Above the chimney-crowded plain, On wall and tower your voices dash, But never with the old refrain; In mart and temple gone astray! Ye dangle bells! Ye jangle bells! Ye wrangle bells of Monterey! O bells that die, so far, so nigh, Come back once more across the sea; Not with the zealots furious cry, Not with the creeds austerity; Come with His love alone to stay, O Mission bells! Eleison bells! O Mission bells of Monterey!