At Lincoln

When I went up the minster tower,
The minster clock rang out the hour;
The restless organ far below
Sent tides of music to and fro,
That rolled through nave and angel choir,
Whose builder knew what lines inspire,
And filled the lantern's space profound
With climbing waves of glorious sound,
As I went up the minster tower
What time the chimes gave forth the hour.

When I stood on the minster tower
The lark above me sent a shower
Of happy notes, that filtered through
The clouds that flecked the sky's soft blue,
And mingled with the nearer tones
Of jackdaws' calls and stockdoves' moans,
While every breeze that round me swirled
Brought some sweet murmur from the world,
As I stood on the minster tower
What time the lark forsook her bower.

When I came down the minster tower,
Again the chimes proclaimed the hour,
Again the mighty organ rolled
Its thunders through the arches old,
While blended with its note so strong
Soft rose and fell the evensong,
And all the earth, it seemed to me,
Was still by music held in fee,
As I came down the minster tower
What time the clock slow chimed the hour.