THE ALARM-BELL OF ATRL 131 



The Re Giovanni, now unknown to fame, 

 So many monarchs since have borne the name, 

 Had a great bell hung in the market-place 

 Beneath a roof, projecting some small space, 

 By way of shelter from the sun and rain. 

 Then rode he through the streets with all his train, 

 And, with the blast of trumpets loud and long, 

 Made proclamation, that whenever wrong 

 Was done to any man, he should but ring 

 The great bell in the square, and he, the King, 

 Would cause the Syndic to decide thereon. 

 Such was the proclamation of King John. 



2. How happily the days in Atri sped, 



What wrongs were righted, need not here be said. 

 Suffice it that, as all things must decay, 

 The hempen rope at length was worn away. 

 Unraveled at the end, and, strand by strand, 

 Loosened and wasted in the ringer's hand, 

 Till one, who noted this in passing by, 

 Mended the rope with braids of briony, 

 So that the leaves and tendrils of the vine 

 Hung like a votive garland at a shrine. 



3. By chance it happened that in Atri dwelt 



A knight, with spur on heel and sword in belt, 

 Who loved to hunt the wild boar in the woods, 

 Who loved his falcons with their crimson hoods, 

 Who loved his hounds and horses, and all sports 

 And prodigalities of camps and courts 

 Loved, or had loved them ; for at last, grown old, 

 His only passion was the love of gold. 



i. He sold his horses, sold his hawks and hounds, 

 Rented his vineyards and his garden-grounds, 



