A Sonnet to Joshua Bradley

SONNET

Inscribed to Joshua Bradley, 

the Donor of Hyde Town Hall Clock and Bells.

HOW CAN WE THANK THEE TRUE, DEVOTED FRIEND,

FOR THIS RARE OFFERING TO THY NATIVE TOWN, BUT BY PROFOUND REGARD?

FAIR HONOURS CROWN IS THINE.

THIS NOBLE GIFT WILL EVER TEND

TO SHOW THE PROMPTINGS OF THY GENEROUS HEART,

WHICH FREELY GIVES, WITH AN UNSPARING HAND,

FROM HARD EARNED STORE.

BASE SELF CAN NEVER STAND ON FAME LIKE THINE, WHICH WILL TO THEE IMPART,

IN THY DECLINING YEARS, A JOY UNKNOWN.

SAVE TO THYSELF, WHOM WE REVERE THE MORE

FOR THIS GOOD DEED. WHO KNOWS WHAT LIES IN STORE

FOR THOSE WHO WORK AND GIVE FOR GOOD ALONE?

THIS TREASURED BOON THY MEMORY WILL ADORN,

AND RING THY PRAISE TO GENERATIONS YET UNBORN.