Question

Some words have been left out in the poem below. First, read the poem. Then, fill in the missing words on listening to the reading or the recording of it in full. You may listen again, if required.

The Drum

John Scott (1731–83)

I hate that drum’s ______ sound,

Parading round, and round, and round:

To thoughtless ______ it pleasure yields,

And lures from cities and from fields, sell their ______ for charms

Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms;

And when______ voice commands,

To march, and fight, and fall, in______.

I hate that drum’s discordant sound, Parading round, and round, and round; To me, it talks of______plains, And burning towns and ruin’d swains, And all that Misery’s hand bestows, To fill the______of human woes.

Answer 1

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, 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.

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 all that Misery’s hand bestows, To fill the catalog of human woes.