Washington, DC, 1999.
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In grateful recognition of the generous gift of Boston, Mass., U. S. A. friends for the restoration of the tower of St. Botolphs.
ST. BOTOLPH'S CHURCH
Boston, Lincolnshire, England
When by St. Botolph's Church you stand,
Its grandeur will amaze;
And, like cathedrals vast, command
Your rev'rence and your praise.
In part below the river's bed,
Its great foundations lie,
And pilgrims oft have faster sped,
At sight of tower so high.
In keeping with its wondrous height,
Is its imposing size,
Its beauty, and its lasting might,
Which age-long time defies.
When but a youth who scarce could know
Its import through the years,
I stood upon the bridge below,
Impressed almost to tears.
I left it with a cheerful heart,
Intending to return,
But fate played its relentless part,
As I was soon to learn.
Three thousand miles away or more,
'Tis dearer still today
Than when, in childhood days of yore,
My feet went not astray;
And 'tis not strange my heart was stirred
Its gratitude to show,
When, after forty years, I heard
Those bells by radio.
The sweetest music cannot weave
The spell those chimes have wrought,
When pealing forth, at morn or eve,
Some soul-inspiring thought.
How blest are they who still abide
Where those great bells can cheer,
And 'tis less hard to turn aside
From trouble, doubt and fear!
Oh, massive pile, by cent'ries worn,
Long may your bells portray
Our sorrows when our hearts are torn,
Our joys when light and gay!
FRED W. FOX
Washington, D. C., January 1939
VALUABLE MATERIAL
DIVISION OF ACCESSIONS
Memorandum of Receipt
Originally received at Library
by
Description
St. Botolph's Church, Boston, Lincolnshire, England. . .
Number of one broadside
Prints
Manuscripts
Acquired by gift,
deposit, transfer, exchange
Name and address of donor,
owner
Fred W. Fox.,
Boston, Mass.?
Sent to Rare Book
Division
Collection
Received
By
For
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1936