I I AM no trumpet, but a reed; No flattering breath shall from me lead A silver sound, a hollow sound: I will not ring, for priest or king, One blast that in re-echoing Would leave a bondsman faster bound II I am no trumpet, but a reed, -- A broken reed, the wind indeed Left flat upon a dismal shore; Yet if a little maid or child Should sigh within it, earnest-mild This reed will answer evermore. III I am no trumpet, but a reed; Go, tell the fishers, as they spread Their nets along the river's edge, I will not tear their nets at all, Nor pierce their hands, if they should fall: Then let them leave me in the sedge. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GREAT LOVER by RUPERT BROOKE METRICAL FEET by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE SUICIDE by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY PSALM 8, SELECTION by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE CAELI by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON TAKE YOUR CHOICE: AS EDGAR LEE MASTERS WOULD HANDLE IT. HILDA HYDE by BERTON BRALEY |