The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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| II. |
 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
MARCH VIOLET
Where last years leaves & weeds decay
March violets are in blow
I'd rake the rubbish all away
& give them room to grow
March violets are in blow
I'd rake the rubbish all away
& give them room to grow
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Near neighbour to the Arum proud
Where dew drops fall & sleep
As purple as a fallen cloud
March violets bloom & creep
Where dew drops fall & sleep
As purple as a fallen cloud
March violets bloom & creep
Scenting the gales of early morn
They smell before they're seen
Peeping beneath the old white thorn
That shows its tender green
They smell before they're seen
Peeping beneath the old white thorn
That shows its tender green
The lambs will nible by their bloom
& eat them day by day
Till briars forbid his steps to come
& then he skips away
& eat them day by day
Till briars forbid his steps to come
& then he skips away
Mid nettle stalks that wither there
& on the greensward lie
All bleaching in the thin march air
The scattered violets lie
& on the greensward lie
All bleaching in the thin march air
The scattered violets lie
I know the place it is a place
In spring where nettles come
There milk white violets show thier face
& blue ones earlier bloom
In spring where nettles come
There milk white violets show thier face
& blue ones earlier bloom
| The later poems of John Clare | |