Poetry Archives

1152

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—