Emily Dickinson

Tell as a Marksman - were forgotten

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 -
Other works by Emily Dickinson...



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