John Clare: The Midsummer Cushion :: :: University of Virginia Library

I think I'm as rich as a man need to be
Though money nor land fortune ever left me
Yet Ive that which belongs as a free common right
To us all—& it giveth my bosom delight
To see the sun smile on my cottage & bring
Daily splendour as rich as he leaves with the king
—Overshadowed with care I can go to the door
& see the sun smile till the cloud passes oer

Nor land nor yet living belongs unto me
Yet I can go out in the meadows & see
The healthy green grass—& behold the shower fall
As the wealth of that being that blesses us all
& he that feels this who can say he is poor
For fortunes the birthright of joy—nothing more
& he that feels thus takes the wealth from the soil
For the mizer owns nought but the trouble & toil

My power it is nothing my riches is small
Yet my mind is as free as the richest of all
& my will to do good is as great as the best
For nature she teaches this lesson at least
As she looks upon me so to look upon all
With a joy that would no creatures blessings forestall
For the sun so exalted in glory & high
Bids the ant be as welcome to greet him as I

Having little I'll be with that little content
& take fortunes gifts in the way that she meant
To look at my lot as the best that could be
From the troubles & toil of ambition all free
With an old pocket legend wearing gold to the end
“He never is poor that keeps god for his friend”
I look on the skies & think so—for they fall
One vast hope & blessing alike over all