Just so－Jesus－raps－1
He－doesn't weary－
Last－at the Knocker－
And first－at the Bell.
Then－on divinest tiptoe－standing－5
Might He but spy the lady's soul－
When He－retires－
Chilled－or weary－
It will be ample time for－me－9
Patient－upon the steps－until then－
Hears! I am knocking－low at thee.
He－doesn't weary－
Last－at the Knocker－
And first－at the Bell.
Then－on divinest tiptoe－standing－5
Might He but spy the lady's soul－
When He－retires－
Chilled－or weary－
It will be ample time for－me－9
Patient－upon the steps－until then－
Hears! I am knocking－low at thee.
(F.263/J.317)
[1] Jesus raps:: a puppet of form Jesus knocks the clock in a clock-tower show.
[2] weary:: a puppet controlled by machine.
[3] Knocker:: the man handling the clock-tower.
[6] the lady:: the narrator who is watching the show.
[7] retires:: the puppet withdraws.
[9] me:: the lady.
[11] thee:: the knocker, the lady's lover.
The famous clock tower, with its nest of wooden puppets, stands in the centre of the town. Just before noon, we joined the crowd that was waiting to see it strike. A minute or two before the clock strikes, a wooden cock crows twice and flaps his wings. Then a puppet strikes the hour on two bells, while a procession of bears move round on the platform below; when this is done, the central figure, seated on a throne, turns an hour glass, and as the great bell in the tower repeats the hour, it opens its mouth. It is one of the most remarkable pieces of machinery in the world. ─ A Year Abroad: or Sketches of Travel in Great Britain, France and Switzerland (1852)