The early poems of John Clare 1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
 | I. |
|
 |
| a. |
| b. |
[Now spring returns with all her wonted charms] |
| a. |
| b. |
| a. |
| b. |
| II. |
 | The early poems of John Clare |  |
[Now spring returns with all her wonted charms]
Now spring returns with all her wonted charms
And Winter leaves us conqu[e]rd & dismayd
Mild Nature bursting from his icy arms
Puts forth her buds & kindles into shade
And Winter leaves us conqu[e]rd & dismayd
Mild Nature bursting from his icy arms
Puts forth her buds & kindles into shade
268
And O what prospects! what delightful scenes
Attract the notice of each tactful eye
Farstretching Woods of many shading greens
& culturd fields & flowers of every dye
Attract the notice of each tactful eye
Farstretching Woods of many shading greens
& culturd fields & flowers of every dye
To day the Daisies silvers oer the green
& to the sun their starry leaves unfold
To morrow kin[g]cups varify the scene
Reflect the Sun & stud the plains wi' gold
& to the sun their starry leaves unfold
To morrow kin[g]cups varify the scene
Reflect the Sun & stud the plains wi' gold
O in this Season of delight & joy
Was it but mine thro natures charms to rove
How sweet would I my leisure hours employ
Strechd on the plain or nestld in the grove
Was it but mine thro natures charms to rove
How sweet would I my leisure hours employ
Strechd on the plain or nestld in the grove
Where the old ivyied Oaks rude mossy arms
Hangs oer the pond in Pictur[e]sque decay
Where full of life the flaggy water swarms
There would I sit and loiter life away
Hangs oer the pond in Pictur[e]sque decay
Where full of life the flaggy water swarms
There would I sit and loiter life away
Or closly hid in some sequesterd nook
Where dead Grass rustles to the fanning gale
Pass the lone minutes with a storied Book
& read in rapture each deligh[tful] tale
Where dead Grass rustles to the fanning gale
Pass the lone minutes with a storied Book
& read in rapture each deligh[tful] tale
Or else lone sitting by some Woods warm side
View the pale primrose in the hedgerow bloom
And Hare bells hang their heads in purple pride
And Creeping Vil'ets shedding sweet perfume
View the pale primrose in the hedgerow bloom
And Hare bells hang their heads in purple pride
And Creeping Vil'ets shedding sweet perfume
Or where the pasture spreads her rushy grounds
& scatterd Molehills make it wilder still
I'd thoughtless wander her bewilderd rounds
& rest when weary on some thymy hill
& scatterd Molehills make it wilder still
I'd thoughtless wander her bewilderd rounds
& rest when weary on some thymy hill
How oft ere twilight streakd the east with gray
Would I be musing oer the fallow fields
Where wistling Sky-larks hail aproaching day
While some brown Clot their lowly nest consceals
Would I be musing oer the fallow fields
Where wistling Sky-larks hail aproaching day
While some brown Clot their lowly nest consceals
269
And O ye Warblers dread no Rober nigh
Nor at my sighs be fearful or distrest
Nor oer my head in Wild disorder fly
I'll only peep to view your curious nest
Nor at my sighs be fearful or distrest
Nor oer my head in Wild disorder fly
I'll only peep to view your curious nest
| The early poems of John Clare | |