Tell as a Marksman — were forgotten
Tell — this Day endures
Ruddy as that coeval Apple
The Tradition bears —
Fresh as Mankind that humble story
Though a statelier Tale
Grown in the Repetition hoary
Scarcely would prevail —
Tell had a son — The ones that knew it
Need not linger here —
Those who did not to Human Nature
Will subscribe a Tear —
Tell would not bare his Head
In Presence
Of the Ducal Hat —
Threatened for that with Death — by Gessler —
Tyranny bethought
Make of his only Boy a Target
That surpasses Death —
Stolid to Love’s supreme entreaty
Not forsook of Faith —
Mercy of the Almighty begging —
Tell his Arrow sent —
God it is said replies in Person
When the cry is meant —
(Emily Dickinson)
More Poetry from Emily Dickinson:
Emily Dickinson Poems based on Topics: God, Belief & Faith, Sons, Cry- Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine (Emily Dickinson Poems)
- Sic transit gloria mundi (Emily Dickinson Poems)
- I cannot live with You (Emily Dickinson Poems)
- The Wind begun to knead the Grass (Emily Dickinson Poems)
- One Year ago-jots what? (Emily Dickinson Poems)
- Your Riches - taugh (Emily Dickinson Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: God Poems, Cry Poems, Belief & Faith Poems, Sons PoemsBased on Keywords: prevail, supreme, hoary, person, apple, humble, linger, mercy, arrow, endures, ruddy