The Tuesday Poem: “The Drum” by John Scott, 1730-1783
The Drum
I hate that drum’s discordant sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To thoughtless youth it pleasure yields,
And lures from cities and from fields,
To sell their liberty for charms
Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms;
And when Ambition’s voice commands,
To march, and fight, and fall, in foreign lands.
I hate that drum’s discordant sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To me it talks of ravag’d plains,
And burning towns, and ruin’d swains,
And mangled limbs, and dying groans,
And widows’ tears, and orphans’ moans;
And all that Misery’s hand bestows,
To fill the catalogue of human woes.
by John Scott, 1730-1783
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John Scott (“of Amwell”) was a Quaker and poet, a contemporary of Samuel Johnson who participated in the London literary society of the day as well as writing on, and being active in, civil and political affairs.
With this April marking the centenary of ANZAC participation in the invasion of Gallipoli in World War One I shall be featuring poetry on the theme of war and its consequences throughout the coming month.
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To read the featured poem on the Tuesday Poem Hub and other great poems from fellow Tuesday poets from around the world, click here.
A excellent poem. Great choice Helen.
Thank you, Helen.