RUSHES
Reading edition
Rushes by the river Rear their heads of brown; In the wind they quiver With a warning frown. "Do you want them, Fairest? At thy feet they lie; They were guarding, Rarest,— Sentinels!—They die."
Wild things are not willing To be captive ta'en: "Cutting's almost killing," Is their sad refrain. "Rushes in their beauty Greenly-proud should stand: Guarding is their duty— River from the land."
DARLEY, NIDDERDALE.