Page:Fountains Abbey.djvu/97

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The north transept ended in the noble tower of four storeys, the third of which was probably for the bells, whilst the second may have served as the sleepingroom of the men who rung them. The inscriptions which ran round the outside of the tower are still in great part legible.

"Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ," said the stones above.

"Blessing and wisdom and honour and power be to our God for ever"; "To the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, be honour and glory for ever," said the middle lines.

"To God alone, to Jesus Christ, be honour and glory for ever," was thrice repeated, east and north and west, below.

The words were part in praise, part in apology. The beautiful tower was forbidden by the ancient regulations of the Order. The Cistercian chapel was to have but a modest tower, rising no more than a single storey over the roof. These high parapets were a symbol of the pride

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