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The early poems of John Clare

1804-1822: General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger

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STANZAS ADDRESS'D TO M.C.M.

Tho fate & fortune both combines
My Enemies to prove
& Unrelenting sternly joins
To force me from my love
For ever constant ever true
From thee it cannot part
Or false or true the lots for you
To hold your wanderers heart

305

Should roaring seas as fate ordains
Divide my love from me
O Menie Menie still remains
My Constant heart with thee
Yes Menie dear my constant heart
For ever stays with you
Go where I will it cannot part
From her it loves so true
And when I'm doom'd no more to be
With Angel Menie here
In foreighn lands the thoughts of thee
Shall be to William dear
No weary miles that grow behind
Sad weary miles to me
Shall never change my constant mind
Nor wear my love from thee
The farther I am doom'd to steer
'More miles to wander oer
Shall only Menies name endear
And make me love the more
Yes love shall sweeten each remove
With an increasing flame
And hope my dearest friend shall prove
To wisper thine the same
And O when fixd in climes unknown
Should ought resemble thee
Should Love the faintest zembla[n]ce own
How great the bliss to me
The Clouds bound to my Menies sky
Or seeming so to be
Shall neer escape thy williams eye
Without his love to thee

306

My hopes & all—while life remains
On Menie dear shall be
My Love its passion never feigns
But Centers all in thee
And hard as fortune now I find
My Constant hope shall be
That future fortune will be kind
And send me back to thee
But o my girl no tongue can tell
Nor fancys eye can view
At that (o cruel word) farewell
What I shall feel for you
And tho my Menie I'm distrest
O do not you repine
For the first sigh that rends thy breast
Will break this heart of mine