3-053-617 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Evensong - drawn by S. Read, 1873. 'I see in memory still, The church on Marlow hill - Our dear old parish-church, that its fair summit crowned; And ah! the happy meetings, Warm hand-clasps, tender greetings, Of families and friends and lovers thither bent; All praise seemed holier there, More reverent the prayer, Though droned by village-folk from twenty hamlets round; The lich-gate at its front; The tower which I was wont By ivy stairs to climb, in search of jackdaw's nest - That thick-set, sturdy tower, Which stood a sign of power, Heedless though winter raved or summer airs caressed; All, all come back again, With pleasure touched with pain, And many a sweet-sad thought is surging in my breast. Bright vision of the past! The painter's skill at last Has made thee to the present rightly to belong. As in a fairy story The past comes back in glory. Of one fair Christmas Eve what gracious memories throng! The dear old church that night Shone as with heavenly light, And angel voices joined in that blest Evensong'. J. L. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.