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A poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe |
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The Walking Bell |
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Title: The Walking Bell Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [More Titles by Goethe] A CHILD refused to go betimes To church like other people; On Sundays from the steeple. His mother said: "Loud rings the bell, Its voice ne'er think of scorning; 'Twill fetch thee without warning." The child then thought: "High over head The bell is safe suspended--" As if 'twas school-time ended. The bell now ceas'd as bell to ring, Roused by the mother's twaddle; The bell begins to waddle. It waddles fast, though strange it seem; The child, with trembling wonder, The bell would draw him under. He finds the proper time at last, And straightway nimbly rushes Through pastures, plains, and bushes. Each Sunday and each feast as well, His late disaster heeds he; No other summons needs he. 1813. -THE END- GO TO TOP OF SCREEN |