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Our Lady Immaculate, Limehouse
" Upon the bells...' Holiness to the Lord.' " Zach. xiv. 20.
A. D. 0
Drift, dim River, down to the empty Sea:
Wash, waste waters, over the misty fen:
Scarcely a cry of bird, and never a taller tree -
Never a footfall faint, and never the noise of men!
A. D. 1000
Dance, strong stream, 'twixt hazel and scented lime!
Float, white sails; then turn to your hamlet home!
Drift, soft smoke; and tinkle, O chapel chime;
Answer the sacring-bells that sweet from the westward come!
A. D. 1600
Splash, splendid Thames! To Greenwich a gorgeous Queen
Rows superb, and proudly her concert swells!
Sound, bugles, sound! But over the meadows green
No wind more wafts music of sacring-bells.
A. D. 1859
Gnaw, foul flood, your filthy and festering flanks!
Smear, poisoned swirl, the murderous Limehouse shore!
Ah - but hark! from over the brutal banks
Hark what tells that Christ is alive once more!
A. D. 1939
Chime, brave Carillon, clear above speed and spate!
Shine, Sacred Heart, far over the waters grey!
Gleam, White Mary, Our Lady Immaculate
Pray - for - Limehouse - Immaculate Mary, pray!
